PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 284, 15 June 1917, Page 3

PAPAKURA.

NIGHT-SOIL REMOVAL THE SITE OPPOSED. MEETING OF PROTEST. A public meeting of ratepayers and householders of Papakura, convened by the Rateyayers' Association, was held in the Parish Hall last (Thursday) evening to protest Bgainst the action of the Town Board in approving of a site off Young's Beach Road as a night soil depot. Mr D. W. Jones (President of the Association) occupied the chair and the attendance was 37 strong. The chairman, at the outset, remarked that the Board's difficulties in securing a satisfactory site could be recognised but it was thought that in the site chosen all the attendant circumstances had not been taken into consideration All had to defer to the authority of the Public Health Department but the officials of that Department looked at the matter from a different point oi view to what residents did. From what he (the chairman) had heard the site selected was condemned by a great majority of ratepayers and householders. Opinions might differ as to whether or not the time was npe for night-soil removal to be carried out but it had to be recognised that in any case the time was not far distant when it would be necessary. One of the chief objections to the chosen site was that it was in full view of the only beach in the district, to which women and children flocked in summer. They should try to make the beach attractive and a night-soil depot should be kept as far away from it as possible. Another objection was that it would depreciate the value of the surrounding properfv, which was destined to provide the building allotments of the future. He recognised the site as an ideal one for the actual purpose but the drawback was that it was not far enough out of the district The Board had acted hastily. They should have made their intentions known beforehand so that residents could have given expression to their opinions. However, according to the report in the " Pukekohe Times," an agreement had been signed with the contractor and they would have to suffer until proper legal steps eonld be taken to restrain the Board's action. Mr Jones went on to say that the Board had been asked to allow nightsoil from Papatoetoe to be dumped on the same spot (iro-iical 1 tughter). He could not understand why the Board did not at once refuse the .request instead of leaving it to the Chairman to deal with. At the same time, from what he knew of the Chairman, he did not think the Chairman would consent to anything of the kind being allowed. If it was, they might be asked to allow night-soil being brought there from Manurewa and even night-soil from Pukekohe might be sent there by train (laughter). At this stage Mr Jones rerd a letter from the Yicar (the Rev W. C. Wood) apologising for his absence from the meeting and stating (inter alia) that "the creation of a depot within sight of residents of the whole township is so startling a proposal that at first I could not credit it until confirm d by the 'Pukekohe Times.' With all duo respect to the Health Authority and the Board I submit that such a deposit upon the proposed section canno f be anything but an offence to the corumun ty. I trus' that the meeting will succeed in bringing such influence to bear upon the board that they will reconsider their decision." Mr Jones concluded by proposing the following resolutions: This meeting of ratepayers and househollers mo t txiiphatica'ly protes's against ihe action of the Town Board in sanc'ioning lie site selected as a depot for the disposal of night-soil and resp ctfuliy but strongly urges the Board to rec >ns s d-r its decision jn the grounds, (1) That the site is too near the township and will become a nuisance and an offence to the residents ; (2) That it is too near the only sea beach in the district, to which large numbers of women and children resort; (3) That the disposal of night-soil on the propc sed site will seriously depreciate the value of adjaceot properties on both sides of the creek,

"And that the Chairman of the Town Board be requested to convene a special meeting of the Boaid at once in order to receive a deputation from this meeting." Mr G. McMurray seconded Mr C, Tuely asked 1 whether the Board had received an opinion from the Health Department as to the site and the Chairman replir d that th<» site had been approved of by the Health Department. In farther reply to Mr Tuely, Mr Jones stated that the Board having adopted by-laws were within their rights in making sanitary regulations.

Mr A. Willis heartily supported the motion and considered that the near vicinity of the beach ought to kill the scheme. When he first read of the matter in the "Pukekohe Times" the vicinity of Beach road was mentioned—not Young's Beach road. The site was most objectionable as the prevailing wind for the greater part of the year blew from that quarter into the town, and besides the riinage from the site would go into the sea. A voice: A lot of it will be dump • d into the sea without draining into it (laughter) Mr D. \V. Stewart thought the sit'} would not only be detrimental to the distiict but wmll stop visitors from going to the beach. Mr J Murray stated that it was mo-t incorc f> r the Board to hrtve previously turned down a proposal to erect bathing sheds on tin ben h mi the ground tlur they would be u*ed a- s mi ary < onveniences aw now 11 viol it- the bench iu a ruanuei much worn- (liiughtf-r).

Mr II Wa'kins.iTi : The propertx was s-.M the Chairman of tin Town B a-d to the contractor and the Chairman got a commission out of the tr .nsn tion.

MrJnffs dvised the meeting t<> avoid p i'-" p.iliiit'.s. Mr I! auk us (the cont'acor) - 1 will foifwit £lO if Mr Watkinson can p i'Ve ili.t Mr Gillespie (the Ch ir m.iii ..film Board)toik any part whata.-tv- r in he transaction or made a pi im , o of it, Mr Watkinson to lose £lO if jhe fails to prove

his statement, and the proceeds to go to some charity. Mr Watkinson: I was speaking from hearsay. Mr Hawkins: It is an untruth. Mr D. Macfarlane objected to the bathing place being polluted. " Take the night-soil (he said) down Wai roa road."

A voice: No, thank you (laughter). The chairman, in reply to Mr Watkinson, stated that houses standing on less than a one acre section came under the night-soil removal regulations. Mr H. Markwick asked if the Association had any other site in view but the chairman explained that the matter had been sprung on them and that tb re had been no time to consider as to alternative sites.

Mr Hawkins : I have been put to expense and I inteud to start next Sunday evening. I will assist in any objection if it can be i roved that a nuisance is caused. The chairman : We have nothing to do with Mr Hawkins. His position is secure as his agreement is signed. We only complain of the action of the Board. Mr £. S. Cole pointed out that the Board had promised to beautify the district and their first step towards beautification was to dump night-soil within half-a mile of the post-< ffice (laughter) Mr Cole continued: Is that progressive ? Are the Road Board our dictators or our representatives ? (applause). Mr McMurray doubted whether there was any need for night scil removal.

Mr Markwick stated that he recently walked across a certain yard in the township and went down almost to his knees in night-eoil. That proved the necessity of the new system. The question had to be faced and no nuisance would be caused by the depot if the night-soil was properly buried. Mr Markwick added that he was speaking as a ratepayer and not in his capacity as a member of the Town Board. The chairman agreed that if proper steps were taken no nuisance would arise but, he said, a plague of flies was likely. They were not, however, discussing the question of the necessity of the system but simply objected to the site being too near the centre of the township. If the Board could find another fite further away, especially if on the eastern side of the district, the indignation that had been aroused would be abated. The resolution having been unanimously carried, Messrs 0. W.Jones, R. W Mears, A. Willis, E. S. Cole, and D. W. Stewart were appointed as the deputation to wait on the Chairman and the proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman PAPAKTJR\ PATRIOTIC LEAGUE A meeting of tlr Executive Patriotic League was 1 Id in the Parish Hall on June Bth, Mr A. Willis in the chair. A letter was received from the Belgian Consul, with reference to the question of Belgian relief. He stated that it was true the Americans were undertaking the whole question of Belgian relief, but he had suggested to the New Zealand Government that all moneys now in hsnd and any further amounts collected should be held over with a view to tho re-habitation of Belgium after the war After discussion it was decided that subscribers to the Belg an Relief fund should be asked to sanction the payment of further collections to the Red Cross fund. Tho Auckland Women's Patriotic League wrote suggesting that it would be more desirable to send the money instead of 2 1 ) hussifs which the League has been supplying monthly. It was decided to donate £1 per month till the end of the year fur this object Advertising accounts in connection with the Y.M C.A Trench Comfort Fund were passed for payment. The Treasurer reported that the to'al amount collected for Belgian relief to date amounted to £43:3 19s 9d.

Under the Chaiimanship of the Rev VV. C. Wood, vicar, a very interesting evening was provided by the newly-formed Literary and Debating Society in the Parish Hall on the 7th June. The subject chosen was "Conscription" and a paper there introduced by Mr D. W. Jones was much appreciated, resulted in an animated discussion There was a good attendance of members and it is gratifying to record an encouraging interest in the Society. The next meeting will be held on Thursday the 21st when Mr Murray will read a paper entitled " Historical Survey of the Irish Home Rule Movement" A good attendance is anticipated.