The City Dust and Nightsoil Contract.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5466, 26 January 1885, Page 3

The City Dust and Nightsoil Contract.

(To the Editor )

Sir,—l see by the report of the City Council in Friday night's Star that, they are about to take a retrograle step in connection with the rubbish nuisance. Both ths collection of rubbish and nightsoil badly wants reorganising. The way they mismanage the collection of nightsoil is worthy of a colonial town of two or three years' growth instead of the leading city of the colony. Considering how closely the town is built, it is a wonder to me it has kspt bo free from fever. The first thing the Council ought to see set right is the thorough cleansing of closets, the removal of rubbish, and that every house has a good supply of pure water. In regard to the first the system eoeraa to be anyhow. The greater number of closets are supplied with wooden boxes which, if emptied every day, are bad enough to breed a fever, for the wood being porous retains the most evil part ; and then, on account of the meanness of some people, they do not got emptied once a month, and then very often in a email back-yard. I would recommend that a rate be struck co that every house should bo visited at least onco a week by the ni^ht-man, and that every closet have an iron pan (galvanised or japanned) of a regulated pattern. It could be done for vory little more cost than the present Bystom, for at present tho night-man calls at ono house, and then passes several, tho cart having to go tho same dut ince as calling at all the houses on tho road. Tho same applies in the removal of rubbish. In Christchurch tho rate is 'id in the £ for removal of nightsoil once a week, and in aomo parts of the town twico a week. In regard to water sorvice,it is all very well to say people can havo it by paying, but considering that half the population of the town aro tenants, they must bo satisfied with what they can get; therefore it is the Council's duty, for the health of the whole community,to see that all the inhabitants are in a position to keep in health. To accomplish this the Council must enforce cleanliness and the uso of plenty of fresh water. With tho warm humid atmosphere of this city, it is surpris ing that we have been so free from fever, etc., but as the town increases in size, so the danger becomes greater,—Yours, etc., Pro Boxb Pmstico. ,