SANITATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 107, 8 May 1896, Page 2

SANITATION.

(To the Editor.)

Sir.—ln your leading article of the 29th ultimo re Dr. McKellar's reporb to the Parnell Borough Council, you mention that a frequent cause of the spread of typhoid is impure milk. Now I will give you a case in point. Tha contractor for the city refuse empties the refuae in one of the gulliea on the Surrey Hill's estate in the borough of Newton, and although he haa been repeatedly spoken to by bhe councillors of the borough on the subject, he simply laughs ab them and defies bhem. Now only lasb Sunday I saw several cows feeding close to where bhe refuse is. shot. If bhis ia nob enough to spread byphoid, Ido nob know whab is. Perhaps if the City Inspector's attention was drawn to the matter, he would take steps bo prevent f,he contractor from emptying the refuse on the estate.—l am, etc.

A Resident.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—lb ia to be hoped that Dr. Mackellar's reporb to the Parnell Council on " How Typhoid ia Propagated," and your own leading article thereon in last night'a Star will be bhe moans of causing every householder bo carefully consider the risks which they and their children daily run in this community by tolerating tbe existing unsanitary condibions, and allowing bhem to become worae and worse by inaction. I can hardly believe tbat the authorities and householders bave realised the nature of the " causes which may make typhoid and other diseases prevalent." In order, therefore, bo keep the ball rolling I beg to point out a few mabterß and offer some suggea tions which may perhaps help on this mosb necessary movement for reform :—

1. Householders have no direct voice in the matter ab all, as they ara nob allowed municipal franchise.

2. The necessity for improving and extending tbe general drainage system mnat be admitted.

3. Whea extended, the making of connections therewith from all properties oughb to be rigidly enforced, in accordance with proper regulations, and under the supervision ot, and to the satisfaction of, bhe authorities.

4. Tbe presenb source cf waber supply, unless aafe guarded, must, sooner or later, geb contaminated.

5. There ought to be regulations as to the laying oub of sufficient back yards, properly fenced, in connecbion with ell houses intended for occupation by human beings.

6. To recognise thab in all sbreets where there is no main drain, ib is the duty of bhe authorities to provide a proper smooth channel on to which ordinary house water may be drained, and which shall be periodically flushed by the aubhoribies. Ib is bhe duby of householders bo destroy by fire much of tbe rubbish which ia allowed

bo accumulate, and that) the remalne'ei' oagh. to be collected by a system, workcy by and under tho direct supervision of tbe authorities, and then converted int« manure.

7. To introdace aa booh as possible rega, lations as to tbe construction and pesitfe^ of proper and sufficient dose, buildings, and particularly mi to the co_j_t.uet.o_. 5} bbc closet receptacles.

8. That the authorities ought to uniier, take the working of the night sell serviea supply the receptacles, and make tha adoption thereof compulsory on oil propo^ owners. Own«r3 would have to pay .ty cost, bub tbey would of course celleefc it again through tho rent. This is the eul* way to secure a uniform, efficient a_|' economical service, as ao many of a, a tenants cannot and musb nob be trusted in tbia matter. -

9, To mako the u.e of a proper deodar, ant compulsory, the deodorant to ba .up. lied in sufficient quantities as a part of tha. service. Ono half of the bulk of tb» deodorant to be deposited in the bottom of j tbe receptacle as an absorbent, the other i half to be spread in the usual way. Th« resultant contents could not be oifentiva, . and could more easily bo converted Into . dry manure and offered for sale. , 10. Certain building sites and propertloi ought to be declared unfit for human habi. babion.

11. To prohibit the re-spreading 0! sweepings upon tbe streets aa " blinding1, for road metal, and prohibit spibting npon foobpatbs and other public places. 12. To establish proper regulations lot and enforce a rigid inspection of. all food supplies. Much more mighb be added to then remarks, bub even a casual inspection of bhe state of many of bhe properties in and around bhis ciby and suburbs will convinos any ordinary intelligence that these ma. tan havo been neglected too long, and I sincerely hope thab the people of Auckland will take up " sanitation," and thereby safeguard tha health of themselves and their children.—l am, etc., John MrroHßXt. April 30th, 1896.