Untitled

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 102, 1 May 1889, Page 4

THE BARRACKS AT STARK'S

POINT

Theke has lately teen some correspondence in these columns respecting the barrack accommodation in connection with Fort Takapuna, Stark's Point. We learn that one of the gunners was admitted into the Hospital lasb^Monday suffering trom a severe cold and rheumatism; contracted ihrough living in damp quarters, and others are suffering more or less from colds. These quarters are situated on the landward side of the fort, and in order to afford protection against the ftre of an attacking vessel, they are built on a lower level chan the natural purface of the ground. The foundation of the building is on a level with the bottom or the trench surrounding the forb, but between e.he windows of the quarters and the outer face of ohe trench there is a space of about thirty-five feet wide running round three sides The wall next the fort consists of three (eat of concrete, and provision has been made so that water which finds its way into the trejieh is immediately carried off by .jvopei-ly-eonsfcrpcted drains. Notwithstanding these provisions against damp and bad drainage, however, fes fact remains that the atmosphere'of the roams in the barracks affords conclusive evidence to anyone who enters that there is need for impnmnaentin the ventilation of ohe buildings, The sleeping quarters are not at all crowded, for tfcere is room for many more men than fche thirteen at present occupying the barracks. But yet, although it is clear to anyone who vWte *te fPmj quarters that there is no fault tobs found as regards cleanliness, the air in the rooms 18 not fresft a»d wholesome, but very much ths reverse.

Possibly this evil could be obviated by s, better system of ventilation. Stagnant air will produce a mouldy smell, in a moist atmosphere like ours, even in an ordinary house, and perhaps some means which would keep up a constant circulation of and change of air in these rooms, would make them more habitable, bnb it is manifest that some radical change is necestary to secure the health and reasonable comfort of the men. We believe it would be better to provide other accommodation for the garrison in times of peace, reserving the barracks within the fort for occupation in case of war. The winter is approaching, when the evils which ai-e prominent enough in the summer will become greatly aggravated, and the Government ought to bake prompt steps in the matter, as it is highly discreditable that men should be physically injured through wholly unnecessary confinement in unwholesome quarters.