CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8177, 9 August 1906, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE SEPTIC TANE. N TO THE EDITOE. Sin.—Tfc is very (dear that some change in the method of collecting news, and presenting it to the public, w.;s required, and I must congraHilate you on the efficiency of your staff, and the fearless policy of your paper. The extraordinary matter that yo i have brought to light, and published in this morning's paper, is grave cnouj;h to justify a citizens' meeting biin . Called Our septic tank, which a few short weeks ago was snifNl at, inspected and then pronoun r cl lo be " a line tank," turns out now a complete failure. What Ihe public would like '"o know is, who is responsible for Ihese ghastly errors ? Surely the man can be name', an 1 the load put upon the right shoulders. What I dislike most i< the secrecy maintained about the whole matter. Wc have, apparently, all the materials for an outbreak of typhoid" or plague fermenting, and sending out its poisonous germs under our very noses, and we are not even warned. I remembor hearing a gentleman who had some connection with tho Health Department say that the ellluent from the septic tank would be purer than ordinary spring water, and that he would drink a glass of il to show the faith that was in him. In Hie light of your disclosures, the "Ifluent is <o thick that he wou'd have tieatil. Again, see the liab'ity to heavy claims for damages that the Couneil is under if the septic I ink is a failure; presently someone will injuncl it, and then t'uro will be trouble Now I should like some independent person to go tliroiudi that waterworks tunnel, an I report in plain English, so that the multitude may undo stand whit is happening there. If one of your reporters is game to craw! thro igli, I promise him some good cop 7. An old suit of clothes, a strong pair o? boots, and the " News energy " wilt furnish liim with material for a scries of articles on health natters generally, which will be read bv the community with intense intores',. Again I should like to know wha'; is Ihe actual holding capicity of the present waterworks reservoir, and what was the estimated capacity as stated in the ratepayers' meeting when the money was asked for. How much more does the present rjseivoir hold than the old one P—l am, etc. "Scrutator"