DRAINAGE SCHEME FOR ONEHUNGA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 166, 14 July 1903, Page 5

DRAINAGE SCHEME FOR ONEHUNGA.

The Onehunga Borough Council last evening conferred with Drs. Pabst and Scott as to the best means of preserving and improving the health of the borough. Dr. Makgill bad also been invited to attend, but was prevented by business at Cambridge. Mr Rowe said he had asked the Mayor to convene this meeting, as "he wished the district to make a bid for prosperity and popularity as a place of residence by taking measures to prevent the danger of epidemics of typhoid fever, diphtheria, etc. Several cases of these two diseases had occurred in the borough during the past year. With quidtransit to the city, and free secondary education, they were bound to progress, and he hoped to see a greater Onehu.-ga formed.

Dr. Pabst said any drainage scheme adopted ought to include the surrounding districts, if those districts would join. Several cases of typhoid had occurred in Onehunga, but he believed the disease was first brought by a patient from Wairangi. He reported the case to Dr. Makgill, and it was then discovered that no less than seven unreported cases existed at Wairangi.

Dr. Scott said the existence of fever in the Auckland district was a standing disgrace.

It was decided on the motion of Mr McLeod, "That Drs. Scott, Makgill ant Pabst be invited to draw up a scheme conjointly for the better sanitation of Onehunga, and report the same to the Borough Council at their earliest convenience." Mr Rowe asked the doctors to also consider the advisability of closing the burial grounds in and near Queen-street. Both Dr. Scott and Dr. Pabst consented. The Mayor promised assistance, and said that Mr Metcalfe's plans for a comprehensive drainage scheme would be at the disposal of the doctors. It was arranged to call another meeting so soon as the doctors' report was ready.