TYPHOID IN PONSONBY.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 52, 2 March 1888, Page 3

TYPHOID IN PONSONBY.

DE. STOCKWELL BLAMES THE

TEAMWAY STABLES.

COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER

LOCALITIES

It is a significant fact that a great many of the communications dealt with at the meeting of the City Council had reference to the question of drainage. Reporting on the subject of the prevalence of typhoid at Ponsonby, Dr. Stockwell, Health Officer said* —The day before yesterday, I received a notification from the Town Clerk to report on the outbreak of fever in the Ponsonby Ward, and especially as to its cause. I have the honour in reply to say that after some investigation I find the number of cases of typhoid fever to have been 33 at least since Ist January, and I have some reason to think that a few have escaped notification. These have occurred in Jervois Road, including the Tramway Stables, 11; Wallace-street, 4; Clarencestreet, 4; Pompallier Terrace, 3 in one house; Ryle street, 3in one house; Hackett, Curran.Prospect, George, John, Emmett.and Dignan streets and Hamilton Road, one each. First of all, I would ask leave to dra,w your attention to the entire absence of cases among the streets extending from Pompallier Terrace to Richmond Rood on the west side of Ponsonby Road, viz., Brown, Norfolk, Lincoln and Vermontstreets and one or two others whose names I do not recollect, and again with the exception of one house in Ryle-street, one in George-street, and one in Hackett-street, the whole district included between Shelly Beach and College Hill and on so Franklin Road, on the north of Pontonby and Jervois Roads, viz., St. Mary's Road, Dedwood Terrace, London-street, Dunedin-street, Kew-street, and all the streets around the Convent, and on both sides of College Hill, are quite clear of it. Of these 33 cases, 11 have arisen in the stables of the Tramway Company or among persons who are employed there. The immediate vicinity of Wallace-street to the stables wonld lead us firstly to consider the cases occurring in it to be owing to the same cause, bringing up the number thus caused to 15, and though more distant in Jervois Road and Clarence-street, yet some of the cases occurring there appear to owe their origin to the stables more or less directly. In the other streets the connection with the stables is less clear. With reference to the general health of the Ponsonby Ward, I would take the liberty of reminding your Worship of the situation of Warnock's soap and manure -ivorks, of Hellaby's slaughter and boiling down works, of the two brick and tile works as well as of the stables. These are situated south-westerly from Ponsonby and Jervois Koads, and the prevailing winds carry the offensive odours from them all over the whole district. On visiting the -stables and examining the sleeping rooms occupied by the men, the measurement taken roughly showed that tho cubic space for each individual was under 300 feet; This is much too small an amount for the maintenance of health, and directions were given that at least 500 cubic feet be the minimum for each person. The building occupied by the men lies down the slope from the stables towards the north-east, and the prevailing winds carry the effluvia from them and the manure heap directly to it, and then onwards to Wahace-street. With about 100 horses, there is always a quantity of manure, and I am of opinion that the cause of this outbreak lies in the defective cubic space and the smell from the stables and manure. There is an open drain along the back of the allotment, which seemed quite clean and free from smell. The water is obtained from the city water supply. The milk also is obtained from Ambury and English, and I have not been able to discover any case of fever connected with their dairy. The report was referred to the Legal Committee without discussion.

ARGYLE AND WALLACE-STREET 3.

Councillor Swailes presented a petition from property owners in Wallace and Argyle-streets drawing attention to the alarming prevalence of typhoid in their neighbourhood, and asking that the drainage be attended to. In reply to Councillor - Evans, the Mayor said these streets with others were regularly flushed and disinfected. Referred to the Ward members. DUNDONALD-STREET. Cr. Garratt moved that drainage work in the creek bed off Dundonald street bo declared urgent. The place was a dreadful one, and the bodies of fourteen dead dogs and four cats were lying there. The Engineer said the cost of the work would be between £2,000 and £3,000. Cr. Garratt said this was not fair, no estimate having been made. The motionfor the suspension of the standing orders was objected to, and consequently the motion could not be put. Cr. Garratt accused the Mayor, who had put the question relative to the cost of the work, of defeating his object by a side Wind. The Mayor said notice would have to be given of such a motion.