NUISANCE IN FREEMAN'S BAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 37, 13 February 1892, Page 5

NUISANCE IN FREEMAN'S BAY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l think ibis bime bhe abbenbion of bhe public was directed to the nuisance created by despositing refuse of various descriptions in Freeman's Bay intake. The interest aroused in the Mount Alberb disbricb through the case of Mrs McMurray, whose illness and death, her medical attendant affirms, was directly traceable to a similar nuisance, should boa warning to the public to take action, and should lead the City Council to deal with tho question of effectively disposing of the city refuse in a more humane and business-like manner. Not only have we in Freeman's Bay the abominable stench arising ab low water from the main sewer that empties itself at Patteson-streeb, bub the contractor for the city refuse has now commenced to empty his carts there in the morning. The fact of his doing so and the absence of any attempt, to hinder him on the part of the Council and Harbour Board (the former body notwithstanding being tho local Board of Health) encourages carters to dump all sorts and conditions of refuse into this convenient spot. Generally, this festering heap is set fire to, and burns for days, to the intense annoyance and risk to the health of the long-suffering poor people who live in Freeman's Bay district, as well as those who have daily to pass to and fro to the city. Apart from its present danger to health, I would point oub that the late Dr. Stockwell, when Health Officer to the City Council, sent in an unsolicited report in which he warned that body that in years to come those who should have the misfortune to reside upon the roclaimed land in Freeman's Bay would undoubtedly suffer in health by reason of the nuisance now complained of. Permit me also to say how often in passing through Freeman's Bay I have wished for the bodies above referred to—

Oh, that some power the gift to give us, To aoc ourselvesas others see us, a3 the whole aspect of this beach frontage is grossly untidy and unsightly, and must form bad impressions on the minds of strangers and visitors to Auckland who have occasion to pass through the main artery of our city to the salubrious and healthy suburb of Ponsonby.—l am, etc., .

Wm. H. Smith, Queenstieet, February 9th.