Spray poisons family's water supply
Farming activities have endangered the health of a family living on the outskirts of Taupo Borough, says the health and building inspector, Mr R. K. Ponga. "Inquiries concerning a doubtful water supply in connection with the family' s illnesses revealed that the roof water supply for domestic use at a farmhouse just outside the borough caused minor organo-phosporous poisoning from the aerial topdressing activities of aircraft spreading grass grub control granules," Mr Ponga told the council in his report.
"The matter was dealt with urgently on behalf of the county health inspector, who was out of Taupo at the time. "The family concerned was rehoused in an unaffected area and action was taken to decontaminate the water supply." Mr Ponga urged the council to consider takjng legal action in future over complaints of foreign matter or insects found in food. "This may have the desired effect.of better surveillance at the bakehouse or food factory," Ihe said. "If a defendant claims to have taken all reasonable steps, this would have to be established to the court's satisfaction. "Whether or not the prosecution succeeded any
further complaints and prosecutions may refer to the previous complaints brought before the court." The Health Department „ investigated two complaints of insects in bread products last month, said Mr Ponga, but both were considered to be "an isolated instance" and warnings were issued, "There have been other complaints from time to time of insects — usually flies — in bread. The Food and Drugs Act allows a defence that 'all reasonable steps' have been taken to eliminate such a problem. "In the light of past complaints with similar results from the Health Department, consideration of legal action should be considered by council, on the grounds that it is an offence to sell food with any extraneous thing which is harmful, dangerous or offensive," said Mr Ponga. Two complaints had been received about the state of the women' s rest rooms — although the toilets were cleaned in the mornings and again at late afternoon, with extra inspections at holiday times. Mr Ponga said two toilet seats _ had been broken in the rest rooms, two flush pipes wrenched away from the toilet pans, and two doors had holes kicked in them. "While sometimes it is considered that people will show the respect a property deserves in terms of its appearance and convenience, there are always the thickhead types who have . one objective in mind and tliat is to destroy. "Thought will be given to providing vandal resistantmaterials in upgrading the toilet blocks," he said.
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Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 51, 27 June 1974, Page 10
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428Spray poisons family's water supply Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 51, 27 June 1974, Page 10
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