The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday at Noon. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1920. PUKEKOHE HEALTH CONDITIONS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 504, 10 February 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday at Noon.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1920. PUKEKOHE HEALTH CONDITIONS.

"We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice."

From time to time cases of typhoid and other infectious complaints are reported as occurring in the Borough of Pukekohe. Hitherto we have made little mention of them, because, when cases are isolated, there is always a possibility that the germs of disease have come from elsewhere; and, having a due sense of our responsibility to the community, we do not desire to create alarm unless there are good grounds for it. Unfortunately, there are now reasons for believing that, probably owing to defective drainage and other causes, the germs of typhoid have found one or more breeding grounds in the borough area. As against the health and safety of the community, no private interest can be considered for a moment, and it is the obvious duty of the Borough Council to insist that a thorough and regular inspection of the back yards in the borough, and all premises where drainage is required, shall take place systematically. It can hardly be claimed that any such regular and thorough inspection has been instituted thus far. We understand that an officer of the health department was in Pukekohe last week—after two cases of typhoid had been reported, but this is like shutting the door after the horse is out of the stable. That the germs of a dangerous disease, of an infectious nature, should find breeding grounds in any particular locality, is proof that the sanitation laws are not being complied with by a very long way. The population of the borough is steadily growing, and will increase just as rapidly as housing accommodation can be secured, and this condition makes it doubly necessary that every precaution shall be taken against allowing disease breeding spots in our midst. We trust, therefore, that rigid and regular inspections will be made in future, thereby enabling the authorities to take preventive measures against a recurrence of certain regrettable local happenings. It may be impossible to prevent infection from outside sources, but there is no excuse for tolerating insanitary conditions within the borough .