ALL ABOUT RATS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 303, 21 December 1921, Page 5

ALL ABOUT RATS.

3>ARGAVII*LE'S MAYOR. PROTESTS. j ATTACK ON MR. GUNSON. ; (By Telegraph. — Own Coirrcepood-enit.l DARGAVTLLE, this day. There was a lively interchange at last night's meeting of the Borough Council between Dr. Chesson (District Health Officer) and the Mayor (Mr. l>. E. Hornblow) in the course of discussion on general sanitary conditions and the destruction of rats. Dr. Chcsson stated that it had been reported to the Minister of Health that vessels arriving direct from Sydney were allowed to berth at Dargaville without being examined, also that the condition of Dargaville was a menace to Auckland. The Mayor, interrupting, asked Dr. Cheason before proceeding further to give the name of the Minister's informant, and Dr. Chesson under pressure gave the name of Mr. Gunson (Mayor of Auckland). The Mayor waxod very indignant, and characterised the statement as untrue ami unworthy of a gentleman in Mr. Gunson's position. He suid that the greatest precaution had been taken by the medical officers, who thoroughly inspected ! all ships prior to their entering Kaipara Harbour. It was unfair that a slur should bo cast on the Health Department, which had exercised the greatest care in this matter. The Mayor said further that they should demand an apology from Mr. Gunson, as his remarks were a libel on the town. He concluded by saying Mr. Gunson would be better employed if he attended to clearing out dirty holes and hovels in Auckland before making assertions about other towns. He reminded Auckland's Mayor that "People who live in glass houses should not throwstones."' Dr. Chesson assured the Mayor and Council that there \ras absohitply no truth in tho story alsour. oversea* vessels berthing without inspection. Thi> vessels referred to Were absolutely clean aud free from vats.