Death-Trap For Children Complain Residents

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 50, 29 June 1965, Page 1

Death-Trap For Children Complain Residents

A man-made hazard, on the corner of Langhton Street and Wheretia Street could mean the death of a child nnless it is removed, say residents in the area. The hazard is in the form of a two-foot deep, foul-smel-ling stretch of water, which drains stormwater off one end of the Laughton Street reseiwe. Many young children were playing in and round the water on Thursday and residents were anxiously watching from nearby properties as the youngest of the children were getting soaked to the skin. The complaint came from a Laughton Street resident, Mrs T. Coley, who said an indentation had existed on the side of the reserve after the area had been laid out but it had silted up and no longer constitute a danger. "About three weeks ago Taupo Borongh Council workmen arrived and excavated the indentation which subsequently filled wdth water," she said. Mrs Coley said she consulted the borough engineer. Mr W. K. Kiddle, on the matter and he informed hei that a shallow trench was tc be dug.

However, she said a front-end loader c/>ntinued to remove soil throughout the day until a large indentation in the gronnd existed and soon filled with rain water. Since that time the water has stagnated and beeome foul.. There is also debris and scum collecting on its surface. Mr Kiddle said on Friday that the council had the matter in hand and that storm-water pipes had been ordered and work would begin on the area as soon as commitments at the airport 'had been completed.