MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2429, 24 November 1892, Page 4

MEETING OF RATEPAYERS AT GERALDINE.

At the invitation of the chairman of the Board of Health, a fairly large meeting of ratepayers took place at the Geraldine Town Board office on Tuesday evening to discuss sanitary matters relative to the district. Mr A. White occupied the chair, and explained that the meeting had been called to consider the sanitary state of the town, and also the advisability of adopting the pan system for water closets. They were well aware that the town had had more than its ordinary share of sickness, and this pointed out that there must be some evil in the township. The Town Board had done what they could in small ways for drainage, but it did not seem to have the desired effect. The board considered it best to call a meeeting of ratepayers and get an expression of opinion as to whether they were willing to go to the expense of the pan system and also a thorough drainage of the town. Dr. Fish, as an old resident of the district, had watched the progress of the town with a great deal of interest, especially with regard to the question of public health. About 15 or 16 years ago he wrote a letter to the paper on the subject. There had been some very unfortunate cases of illness, which he considered mainly due to the defective drainage of a particular block at the upper end of the town, and whenever he had a chance he had tried to ventilate the matter. There was at one time an open drain there, and this had since been filled in, and now, as far as he was aware, there was a large hole, to which everything flows. His deliberate opinion was that if something is not done there will be serious cases of illness, followed by inevitable death. Dr. Fish then gave some instances of how sickness had been brought on by defective drainage, and said that people generally never did anything to improve the matter until something very serious took place. Even if it was a question of money they had to face, it would be better to face it. (Applause.) THE PAH SYSTEM. Mr W. S. Maslin said that hitherto he had questioned whether the interest was general enough to justify the board in levying a rate upon all the people for the purpose of carrying on the work for the benefit of the few (as was thought) rather than the many. But his attention had now been drawn to the fact that the mortality in Geraldine had been considerable in the past —more so than in other places of greater population—and it must be attributed in some cases to where there is no removal of nightsoil. The matter was brought up some time ago by a proposal for the adoption of the pan system, which prevented the excrement from being spread about. At present the excrement from various places was finding its way through the shingle and getting into drinking wells. This would be got rid of by the pan system. The board had some data to lay before the meeting as to the probable cost. Some had said that if they levied a rate on everyone to carry out the pan system it would be hard on people with largo properties who had little or no use for the nightman. He would point out that there would be in all cases of this kind exceptional hardship ; some would suffer hardship under all taxation. He could not see a better way of dealing with the question than by adopting the pan system and levying a rate for the proper removal of the nightsoil from the town. Mr A. White said the way they first dealt with a similar matter at Temuka was to employ a nightman who collected the dues. But it was found that this did not work, and so they struck a rate, and found that that was the best way out of the difficulty. His board had called for tenders for carting the soil, and the lowest was £SO. When they summed up they found that if they struck a rate it would cost just about the same amount as the tender, viz., §d in the £. They could not do it for less than that, though they might possibly get lower tenders now. He quite agreed with Mr Maslin that it was time they had the pan system in vogue. Mr C. B. Sherratt asked if the pan system were adopted would a person be exempt from taxation if he had a garden and could dispose of his nightsoil to advantage and without creating a nuisance.

Mr N. Dunlop thought that the difficulty was not bo much with the pan (system, but the defective drainage in the town seemed to be the sore point. He considered that the rate of f d in the £ would be a great hardship on a comporatively few ratepayers, and he thought that if the inspector of nuisances was appointed to go round and make everyone get his pan emptied it would meet the difficulty. He believed it would cost more than fd in the £ if the pan system were in force. If the board would carry out some drainage scheme whereby they would thoroughly drain the town and carry away all refuse they would soon be rid of disease from their midst. Mr Maslin said that the majority of ratepayers’ rates were very small, and he questioned whether those who made the most noiaa about the adoption of the pan system Would pay more than a Very small sum per annum. Mr J. Mundell moved—“ That it be a recommendation from this meeting to the local Board of Health to establish the pan system in Geraldine.” When he was on the board he advocated this matter strongly, and it seemed to him penny wise and pound foolish to go on as they were. He was quite sure the sooner the pan system was established and carried out in Geraldine the batter. Mr A. E. Hawkins maintained that no person should be a bowed the privilege of utilising nightsoil within the town.

Mr Dunlop said ho was in favor of the pan system being in force, but not in favor of employing a man at the coat it would be to some half a dozen ratepayers. Mr Winston thought the meeting should not dwell too much on the question of £, s. cl, when they hud to cope with disease. He did not see thai it was any great hardship for a man to pay 5s or 10s per year for rates in place of a doctor’s bill, and perhaps a death. Dr Fish said the pan system was a good thing, but it was not everything—it was only to get over part of the difficulty. He would say “ Have the pan system, by all means, but if you can cleanse the town altogether do so.” Mr Maslin said that if the pan system would be a hardship on some of the ratepayers the drainage scheme would be heavier still, and it was a much larger question than at first appeared. From the very first settlement of the town the road board had considered the matter, and in consequence of the expense attached to it, it had to be shelved, Mr Dunlop said if they wanted to deal with the matter at all they should go to the root of it. He would move as an amendment to Mr MundeU’s motion—- “ That it be a recommendation to the Board of Health that a drainage scheme be drawn up by an engineer and carried out.”

At the show of hands which followed 15 voted for the motion and 7 for the P^qdiMOt.

BOA HP Ql.’ HEALTH, t ' The chairman thon invited suggestions as to sanitary matters. Mr Winston thought something might be done in the way of a thorough examinrtiou of back yards and premises,;to see they are kept clean. Mr Baxter sgggested no one should be allowed to keep pigs in the town. THE CEMETERIES. Mr Bowkett pointed out that the cemetery should be drained.

Dr Fish said that there was no doubt the drainage from the cemetery was carried to the people below.

Mr Shiera thought there was one thing the board could do. There had been a good deal of illness with school children this year. He thought the school was placed in an unfortunate position, being between two cemeteries. Visiting the horse cemetery a short time ago, he was told that some of the dead animals were only covered by a foot of soil. The graves were full up with water, and the drainage of this had a direct fall to the school well. There was also a disagreeable stench, which would blow directly into the school windows when they were open. Mr Shiera moved commendation to the Board of Health that no more dead bodies be buried in the horse cemetery.” Mr White said that the Works Committee had now employed a man to bury all animals and see that they were buried properly. Mr Mundell seconded the motion.

Mr Dunlop supported the resolution. He had actually seen children eat ice, and drink, from the creek into which the dead horse cemetery drained. Dr Fish said he had seen children paddling in this creek. The resolution was put and carried unanimously.

Mr Maslin, In speaking of the ordinary cemetery, said the local Board of Health had made representations to the Government for a new site below the stone bridge, but they had not been successful. Mr Mundell moved—“ That it be a recommendation to the Board of Health to again move in the matter of getting a new cemetery.” Mr Dunlop seconded the motion. Mr Fergusson said there was a Cemetery Board and he had never seen any reports from it. He considered that the cemetery being overgrown with gorse and in its present state is a disgrace to the township. He considered that the board should be elective.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr C. E. Sherratt thought that it should be a recommendation from the meeting that the Cemetery Board be elective.

Mr Maslin thought the matter should be considered before a more representativemeeting. He was in favor of it. Mr Mundell, as a member of the Cemetery Board, was also in favor of it being elective.

Mr Maslin moved—“ That the chairman of the Town Board be requested to call a public meeting at an early date to consider the advisability of petitioning Government to form a new Cemetery Board on the elective principle.” Mr C. E. Sherratt seconded this, and it was carried unanimously. THE DRAINAGE SCHEME. Mr H. W, Moore was not a ratepayer, but would subscribe annually for a proper drainage for the town. He thought the advice of an engineer should be got. Mr Bowkett asked \\ hat it would cost, and thought it would pay to get the advice.

Mr Dunlop moved—“ That it be a recommendation that an engineer be got to give an idea of the probable cost of drainage for the town, and the best method of drainage, and to report generally on the sanitary state of the township.” Mr Bowkett seconded this, and it was carried unanimously. Mr Hawkins suggested that the Inspector make periodical visits to the premises and back-yards in the district, and immediately order the removal of all filth. Mr Mundell moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, and the meeting ended.