WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 210, 16 November 1897, Page 4

WHATAWHATA.

At one p.m. ou Sunday the remains of poor Willie Ferguson were laid to rest in our cemetery, a number of friends of the family being present. Mr Dyer, of Hamilton, read the burial service at the grave. lam glad to be able to state that Miss Ferguson and her other brother, who were also attacked with the fever, are now convalescent, and in a day or two will be leaving the Waikato Hospital, where it is almost needless to say they have been treated with the greatest care and skill by Dr. Kenny and his nursing stafF. Respecting this outbreak of typhoid fever in Mr Ferguson's family, some laxity of action appeals to have been displayed by tbe Hospital Beard authorities, or whoever is responsible for the institution of proper inquiries in cases like this, which so trravely affect the public health. Much valuable time has already been lost, during which the promoting causes of the fever may disappear, or, at least, be less easy to trace. To an ordinary person it is difficult, even after a somewhat careful investigation of anything about Mr Ferguson's hou'-c, yards, or surroundings, that would be likely to cause an outbreak of typhoid. The house, dairy, piggery, stockyards, etc., are situated along the edge of the upper river terrace, and having no shelter trees, are exposed to the full force of the westerly winds, while the best of drainage is obtained down to the lower terrace, which is about 40 feet below. The stockyard is some chains from the house, and is by no means in a bad state, being logged and sanded last year, and is if anything rather a bleak place to milk in. The water supply of the family is obtained from a spring coming out about half-way down the terrace and is boarded in, and as it disclnrges about 1000 gab lons per 24 hours it can scarcely be the water supply that is at fault, albeit it has a strong flavour of iron. The only thing that is unhealthy looking about Mr Ferguson's house is the stagnant water lying on the lower terrace, brought theie by the river Hoods and by drainage from the township flat. This at present is charged with the yellow mud left by the late floods and no doubt is unhealthy when drying up, but the same thing occurs in numerous places up and down the river, and no ill elTec f s have ever been recorded from it. However, only a medical man can give a competent opinion upon the matter, and this should be obtained without delay, both in the interests of the public and also of Mr Ferguson, who has a large dairy of cows, and is unable to send the milk to the creamery or otherwise utilise it. In a few days Mr Corboy, on behalf of the Newcastle Road Board, will probably visit tbe place, and I am sure he will also advocate an inspection by a competent medical man. —(Own Correspondent),