CITY SANITARY SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 20 January 1905, Page 3

CITY SANITARY SERVICE.

HEALTH OFFICER'S COMMENTS.

The following letter was read at the meeting of the City Council last night? from Dr. Frengley, District Health Officer: "I am still awaiting a reply, or some acknowledgment of my letter of November 10. 1904. I am quite at a loss to understand why such evident leniency should be meted out to your Council's contractors, not only themselves, but others. Your Council appears unwilling to assert their powers as local authority under the offensive trades clauses of the Public Health Act. My letters on the matter would seem to be dealt with in the most private manner possible. The secretary of the Harbour Board laconically says, 'No conditions at all* to my query under what conditions the Board have consented to allow the pans to be placed on the wharf, or for the berthage of the steamer with that name so expressive of its condition, "The Vivid.' I have visited the spot to-day at 3.45 p.m., a hot day. The carts are obviously streaked with nightsoil, and stunk. When and where are they washed? The pans are foul, stinking, and not half cleaned. The stench from the contents of the Vivid and its companion barge was wafted fhto the sheds, and into the faces of all who unfortunately may have business to do on the wharf. Yet the seere- \ tary says, 'Xo conditions at all' —a do-as-you-please policy, quite agreeable to the contractor, no doubt- The Waitemata Council, who would not permit the suburban local authorities to go anywhere for the depot in the county under any and all conditions, yet allow your contractor to use Harkin's Point, also under no conditions. He is liable to a fine of £50 for establishing himself at Harkin's Point without their consent. Yet he is allowed to <xo on placidly. It has to be acknowledged, I fear, that though your Council went to very great trouble to draw up a stringent contract, yet the enforcement of the conditions of that contract seems to be a dead letter. But for timely interference these odorous carts might have been placed alongside the public school in Chapelstreet. Why all this leniency? For the third time, may I ask that your Council assert their authority as to this offensive trade, in the interests of the public health ?" The sanitary inspector reported that owing to the new men not having yet got into the work, many complaints had been received regarding the service. He added that the carts were washed down every morning, and though not odourless, were not in the condition suggested. The cleaning* and steaming of the pans ,wa3 done satisfactorily. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee. Mr. C. J. Parr considered that when such a serious charge was made against the Council by a public officer, the Streets Committee should report as to the truth or otherwise of the statements. The Mayor said he understood the contractor received the sanction of the Health Officer for a depot at Harkin's Point, and also the consent of the Wa2temata County Council. Until the contractor could get a supply of pans, leniency was shown, but since then the sanitary inspector had been instructed to see that the contract was duly carried out, and enforce fines for non-ful-filment. The letter, was not written m the respectful tone one would expect from a public official when communicating with a local body. Mr. Parr: "It is not." The Mayor said it would be the duty of the Streets Committee to see if, tue charges were true, and if they were, to make the contractor bear the blame. Mr. J. McLeod said primarily the City Council were the sufferers. From its inception the matter had been unsatisfactory. Constant complaints had been received. He was told on good authority that last Sunday full pans were "left standing on the Hobson-street wharf. If such a state of things was allowed to exist it was time the Council took action.