HEALTH OF THE TOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1922, Page 6

HEALTH OF THE TOWN.

THE HUATOKI OUTLET. BOROUGH COUNCIL S PROPOSALS. WORK WAITING TILL SUMMER. At last Monday's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council a requisition was received from the Board of Health in response to a petition from Huatoki residents requiring the council to undertake certain works relative to the effluent from the septic tank, and the work was to be completed within 30 days. Consideration of the matter was deferred for a week, and at last night’s meeting of the council the Mayor stated that he had prepared a letter in reply to the requisition. The borough engineer had added some particulars, and the letter set out the facts. Following is a copy of the letter, which it was decided to forward to the? Board of Health:—

“I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 6th instant with requisition from the Board of Health relative to the effluent pipe from the septic tank of this borough. I must respectfully but strongly protest against my. council not being given an opportunity of being heard or being allowed to place the position before the board. Had this been done your board would have known that the council is fully aware of the facts and has taken steps to deal with any nuisance hereafter arising. In January last the septic tank was thoroughly cleaned at a cost of over £6OO, and since the completion of that work there has not been the slightest trace of any nuisance, nor has any ! smell from the effluent been discern- ! ible. The outlet from the tank is under the regular and frequent inspection of the borough engineer and of the local health inspector, and I personally pass the spot two or three times weekly. Dr. Monk will corroborate this assertion as to the present condition, as I know from conversations I have had j with him. The smell which undoubtedly pervades the atmosphere in the neighborhood undoubtedly comes from the ammonia water discharged from the local gas works into the Huatoki above water level at about 90 yards below the outlet of the septic tank, besides the railway goods-shed. where many of the signatories to the petition presented to you are employed. “MAY BECOME OFFENSIVE.’ ‘ The council, however, recognises that ( the effluent from the tank may become offensive, especially in summer time, when the water in the stream is not of much volume. It has accordingly obtained estimates of the cost of' carrving the effluent pipe, (1) to the mouth of the stream, and (2) below water mark. In view of the possible reclamation by the Railway Department with the object of extending its yards seaward the council reluctantly abandoned for the present the idea of carrying the outlet below low water mark, but has adopted the plan of carrying same to the mouth of the stream at an estimated cost of £1306. This amount has been placed bn the current year’s estimates for the purpose, and the matter of preparins plans and specifications is in the hands of the engineer. “It is. however, quite impracticable to do the work before the summer months. The waters in the channel come from two streams, which junction just above the septic tank, and both streams are.

throughout the wet season, which extends practically until the end of the year, subject to frequent heavy and sudden floods. Moreover the sea. which at high water enters the mouth of the Huatoki. is. by the northerly winds that often blow during the winter, driven up against the river waters, and it is no uncommon sight to see rollers driven up-stream far beyond the site of the tank. Under such circumstances it practically becomes an impossi l lity to carry out such a work without incurring the gravest risks of damage both by heavy in-rolling seas and that of scouring away freshly laid concrete by flood water. This is almost certain to happen at this season of the year, as the river must be sand-bagged off, thus reducing the area by nearly half, the effect being the water will be raised far above normal and any overflow over the sandbag wall will result in damage. PLEA FOR DELAY. ’ “It is safe to say the effluent from the tank is diluted much in excess of the requirements of the regulations of the Local Government Board, England, for at least 11 months in the year. Recent gangings showed 98 and 87, and on Wednesday morning, at 10.45 a.m. 75 cumins, equal to 1.63, 1.4-5 and 1.24 [cusecs. The flow in,the river is apI proximately 9.58 cusecs at this time of the year, and may reach 50 cusecs during floods, due to the Huatoki and Mangotuku rivers. Further, during flow tides, and especially springs, the river bed is thoroughly washed down. “In view of the whole of the circumstances I trust that the board will realise that it is impossible to give effect to its requisition at this time of the year, and that it will see its way to permit the works to stand over until the time originally contemplated, viz., until January next.”