RUBBISH AND REFUSE DEPOT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81844, 11 September 1906, Page 2

RUBBISH AND REFUSE DEPOT.

Mr. A. H. Kendall, borough sani (ary engineer, reported to the New Plymouth Borough Council on Monday on the matter of disposal of rubbish, stating that he had gone into the question of refuse and rubbish and suggested that after the deviation of the Kailway, and possibly sub ject to the approval of surrounding residents, a now depot might be found in some other place where it would be less of a nuisance and eyesore; and the present rubbish depot could, and slu/ukl, be discontinued, except for clean earth, or road sweepings, or such other matter as would tend to make a serviceable and acceptable covering for the present unsightly depot. This part of the Borough should certainly be put to a better use than as the dumping ground for the town, and lie suggests that till those unformed streets leading to l the beach are brought into use for vehi cular traffic, a fence, and possibly a large gate with padlock and also a turnstile at their Southern ends would effectually prevent the illegal deposit of rubbish there at night-time. Dur ing the last visit of Dr. Valintine to New Plymouth Mr. Kendall went into this matter with him, and visited the depot, assuming that a destructor is out of the question in this Borough at present and the Doctor looked with favour on such places as the deep hoi low in Fi'lis street, between Cover and Liardet streets, or, say, after the railway deviation is complete, Hobsou street between Lemon and Courtenay streets, especially if the deposit were carried out judiciously, and the surface covered at frequent and regular weekly or fortnightly intervals with fresh earth or clay. 'By this means the gradual filling and formation of the streets at such points would be ef fected at least cost up to within six or ton feet of the finished surface or permanent level. If this were carried out, and the depot kept under strict supervision— by lock and key if necessary—and firing prevented, the Health ofilter does not appear to think any harm would result.

A petition was presented from 50 re sidcnts in the East Ward, asking that the present rubbish depot, off Octavius Place, and on tho Mount Biyon pluntaiii/ii ic s crvc 3 be closed. an<l frosli arrangement's be made for the disposal! of the rubbish. The present tip being- in the vicinity of a large and increasing- residential population was, the petition stated, a menace to health, owing- to the decaying animal and vegetable matter deposited there; and for the same reason was the home and breedinggrcuncl of thousands of rats, as a visit to the spot on any moonlight night or early morning would show. When tin; matter came up, Cr. VVil son referred to the great nuisance caused by irresponsible persons depositing- garbage tliere and firing- it, (hys contaminating the atmosphere of the whole neighbourhood. . Cr. Jicl-lningcr said there would be a howl against any proposal to establish a rubbish depot in street or Fillis-f.ttcet.

Cj. suggested that the engineer .should report on the matter of procuring a destructor. Cr. Monteath considered a destructor woukl he tqo eostJy. Tho inspector seemed to propose closing one depot and opening another. The Sanitary engineer will have the present nuisance abated, and report „n the question of procuring a suit ab'e destructor.