PUBLIC HEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1922, Page 5

PUBLIC HEALTH.

NEW PLYMOUTH’S DANGER. ANOTHER PETITION TO COUNCIL. NO ACTION TAKEN. The condition of the borough septic tank was the subject of a letter received at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council from a number of business firms in Currie Street. The letter stated: “The gases from this tank are not only a source of annoyance to those of us with business premises located in the immediate vicinity, but constitute a .grave menace to health. It is evident that the tank has long ago ceased ter perform its true functions and is now merely a cesspit. Already in this Dominion we have had a serious outbreak of typhoid, and whilst citizens are being urged to ‘clean up’ and pay greater attention to the laws of hygiene and sanitation, we have in pur very midst a sewage cesspit, which in itself is quite enough to create an epidemic. We consider that a big responsibility rests upon the municipal authorities of this town in connection with the above, and we would respectfully urge that prompt steps be taken to safeguard the health of this community.” The signatories to the letter were: J. H. Cock and Co., Ltd., Burgess. Fraser and Co., Ltd., Collett and Co., Ltd.. Newton King, Ltd., Archibald Clark and Sons, Ltd,, and John Avery, Ltd. After the contents of the petition were read the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) said he had taken one of the signatories to the locality and there asked him what the trouble was. The latter was then unable to say there was anything wrong. “So much for that petition,” said the Mayor. “It is a. deliberate attempt being worked up—we know by whom —to force our hands. Recently we dealt with a petition from the goods-shed hands in a certain way, and I propose to deal with this merchants’ petition in the same way. They are well aware that we are moving in the matter and that steps are being taken.”

The Mayer then moved that the letter be received, and this motion was ■carried.