WAITARA WATER SUPPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 9 February 1914, Page 6

WAITARA WATER SUPPLY.

I HEALTH OFFICERS REPOUT. j TIIK MAYOR'S YIKWS. Some consternation was caused in Waitara by the publication recently of a report from Dr. Chesson, Health Oiucer, concerning tin: source of the water supply of the borough of Waitara. Dr. Chesson was reported to have said that he found, at several places along the bank of the Waiongona river, from which the Waitura water supply is drawn, that piggeries were drained into the river; also that certain cowyards and factories drained or discharged their waste material into the river, and that in one case a'privy pan was actually found in circumstances which suggested that it was at times emptied on to the river bank. A warning was given to the people of Waitara that the water was not fit for consumption unless it was first boiled. In conversation with Hie Mayor of Waitara (.Mr. W. F. Jenkins) on Friday, a Daily Xcws representative was toid that the statements said to have been made % Dr. Chesson were unfounded. Further, Mr. Jenkins remarked that ho thought Dr. Chesson should have, made a report to the Waitara Borough Council before he made a statement to the Press. Some time ago the Health Department had made certain requirements regarding the water supply, which had been promptly attended to. It was a pity to create a scare now. Referring to Dr. Cliessou's statements, Mr. Jenkins said that lie and Mr. l!irdling had been over the ground mentioned and had seen nothing to bear them out as far as the piggeries and the privy pan wore concerned. The factory mentioned was five miles above the intake, and outside the intake there was an •efficient settling tank. lie had oil a previous occasion asked Dr. Chesson to take a sample of the water for analysis, but he had not done so. Mr. Jenkins further considered that if such evils existed as Dr. Chesson was reported to have said, the Health Department should have notified the Borough Council long before. He was now expecting a I'orma] report from the. Health Department, and .011 receipt of it would call a special meeting of the Borough Council.