THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1922, Page 4

THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

POSITION IN NEW PLYMOUTH. IS THE DRAINAGE SATISFACTORY? IMPROVEMENTS URGED. The question of public health was befon» the New Plymouth Borough Council last night. The chairman of the Ratepayers Association (Mr. C. Carter) wrote regarding the council's provision on the estimates for carrying the sewage to the mouth of the Huatoki Stream, and asked when this work would be put in hand. If an assurance was given that the work would be done at once he would hesitate to call a meeting of ratepayers to urge action. The insanitary arrangements arising out of the present disposal of the sewage was pointed out in a letter from Mr. M. Fraser (chairman of the Hospital Board) to the association. Mr. Fraser’s letter stated: “la view of the present outbreak of enterio in the Avondale (Auckland) district, I think you should call a meeting of the ratepayers and consider the great menace to the town arising from the insanitary condition of our drainage and septic tank. Somewhat similar conditions existed at Avondale. The health officer there brought the matter before the Board of Health some twelve months ago, but evidently the board’s in- * struct ion 8 were not carried out, with the result that about 200 cases of enteric have been reported within a fortnight. Several ratepayers are alive to the danger threatening the town owing to the state of things at the lower end of the Huatoki Stream. It is to be hoped that the local health authorities will remedy the evil if brought promptly before them by your association.” The borough engineer reported on the conditions, stating that no instructions had been given regarding the carrying out of the work. Specifications will be drawn up with s view to the work being done in the summer, when there is no danger of floods.