CORRESPONDENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1914, 9 July 1889, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.)

Temuka, 6th July, 1889. TO THE MITOR. Sir, —1 pen the following to show how difficult it is for a man in any position of trust (private or public) to carry out hia duties strictlj, disinterestedly, and honestly without surrounding himself with enemies in ambush on all sides, and really where he has the least reason to fear a secret mine being sprung. Owing to a certain letter from Dr J. S. Hayes to the Chairman of the Temuka Town Board, which carried with it a most insulting aucl ungentleruanly tone from beginning to end, and which was slightly touched upon by your reporter, together with the Board’s remarks on the same, I ask a special favor for apace in your columnsfor certain correspondence, etc,, which are the doctor’s only grounds for hia spiteful remarks. After 29 years’ residence in this'district, I have nothing wherewith to accuse rayself of which I need be ashamed, and I leave it to the public to judge as to my previous or present conduct as touching courtesy and integrity. I have always entertained the highest respect for Dr Hayes as a star in hia profession, although I must acknowledge in other ways we should not move as kindred spirits. 1 never recollect being uncivil or offensive to Dr Hayes, although I cannot always say the same of him. It would, indeed, be very irrational for tke father of a considerable family somewhat delicately constituted (himself not free from infirmities) to wittingly offend the only medical man available for 12 miles on either side of Temuka; but iu my positron as Town Clerk I cannot conscientiously act in acy save a disinterested way with all, which I am happy to see my instructors support. To make all things clear, it is necessary to mention “ that after a long and aggravated term of neglect on the part of our previous nightman, with endless complaints to this Board," it was resolved on 6th March that tenders be called for the office of nightman, to bo in prior to 20th March, which was duly published in your columns. Un that date the tender of O. Fraser was accepted, on condition that he should forfait one month's pay if terms oontained in the specification were not strictly adhered tw. Among others., he had to report on all premises not properly supplied with closets and pans, which I believe he fulfilled faithfully, as well as any other hindrances on part of residents interfering with the carrying out of hia duties. The Clerk and Health Officer (my humble self) was instructed to hook up authorities for Board’s power to strike a special rate for payment of nightman ; also to compel all householders to comply with the above-named regulations. This was duly carried out, and made public through your columns. Among other notices which by the Board’s orders had to be served was one to Miss Mary Boyle, who had left Temuka, and I was informed resided in Timaru, to which place 1 accordingly addressed. I may here mention that after waiting for a reply from the Bth to the 29th May, on the latter date I was informed that Dr Hayes was acting as her agent, and wrote to him accordingly. I have since received Miss Boyle's notice from the Dead Latter Office, and Dr Hayes answered bis on fly-sheet, which 1 enclose for publication with others. This was read by the Board at meeting held on the sth of June, and a resolution was passed “That the Clerk give notice to Dr Hayes, as agent for Miss M. Boyle, to have cesspit filled and proper pan supplied to closet without delay.” The following is a copy of the notice forwarded

[Copy,] Terauka, 6th June, 1889. J. S. Hayes, Esq., M.i). Sir, —In answer to yours of the 30th ult,, which was laid before the Temuka Board of Health at yesterday’s sitting, I have the honor to inform you "that in accordance to resolution passed I was instructed to give you notice to have cesspit filled' and closet supplied with pan on sections 271 and 272, Aliuutt Street, as agent for Miss M. Boyle, owner, without further delay."—Your obedient servant, Edw. Piibrow, Inspector of Nuisances.

I enclose answer to the above, as read by the.Cbairman on Wednesday last, the 3rd iast. It will be noticeable that Dr Hayes entirely ignores the presentee of a cesspit. I wonder what ha expected to exist in the absence of a pan? Hoping you will forgive me thus crowding yonr columns, 1 remain, etc., Edw. Piibrow. Temuka Town Board, 29th May, 1889. J. S. Hayes, Esq., M.D. Sir, —If you are acting as agent for Mias M. Boyle for sections 271 and 272, Allnutt Street, now occupied by Mrs Phillipson, will you please to have closet supplied with a proper pan, to enable the nightman to carry out his duty.—Your obedient servant, E»v, Piibrow, Health Officer. E, Piibrow, Esq. Sir,—lflbere is only a pan required for section in Allnutt, the tenants are the proper parties to apply to. —I am, your obedient servant, J. S. Hates. May 30th, 1889. Temuka Town Board, May 8 th, 1889. Miss Mary Boyle, Timaru. Misa,—The Temuka Town Board having made it obligatory that nightsoil shall be removed off all premises at least once per week, they hope will take this as sufficient notice to have your premises on sections 271 and’ 272 in Allnutt Street supplied with proper closet pan, to enable Board’s contractor to carry out his duty.—Your obedient servant, Enw. Piibrow, Clerk to Board and Health Officer, Temuka, June 21st, 1889. The Chairman Temuka Town Board. Sir, —Until I read in the local paper the report of the Board’s sitting on 6th June 1 had no idea that a cesspit existed on sections 271 and 272, never having received notice to that effect. The notice I was from your overseer requiring me to provide a n pan, I did not object to provide a pan for tenants, if th e

application had coma from them, but as I considered this to be a matter between landlord and tenant, I resented the interference of your officious servant, and thought that, as per usual, he was only poking his nose into what did not concern him ; but it is now doubtless pleasing to all parties concerned to know that he has at last got it into something tangible—the congenial cesspit aforesaid. On learning that a cesspit existed on sections I had the nuisance abated at once. Allow me to remark that it is not creditable to your Inspector of Nuisances that the cesspit in question should have remained so long without being reported on. As your Board has published what was an unwitting breach of the law on my part, please be so good as to publish an explanation. I may mention that sections 171-172 has only comparatively recently come into my hands as agent, and naturally I thought that such an imported sanitary matter had beau amended to.— l Fours faithfully, J. S. Hates.