CITY GARBAGE DUMPS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22107, 1 June 1937, Page 13

CITY GARBAGE DUMPS

TO THS gDITOR 0» THB PItBHS. Sir,—The practice of dumping rubbish has already been in operation for some months at the City Council pit situated in Lyttelton street, Spreydon, to the discomfort and annoyance of residents adjacent. I made objection to the council and the Medical Officer for Health on behalf of the local residents, some months ago, but Friday's garbage is being tipped weekly. From inquiries made, I was credibly informed that this week-end tipping was due to the destructor closing down for a shorter working week, the staff not being available at the week-end. Evidently this was made the "thin end of the wedge" for the proposed permanent alteration. We have been treated to propaganda, liberally illustrated during uie last fortnight, which would convert Spreydon as permanent "garbage dump' lor at least the next 10 years, unless the residents consider measures to prevent The Spreydon Burgesses' Association is organising a jpecial meeting, to which all residents are to be invited, and an advertisement denoting time and place, will be in your columns on Saturday, June s.—Yours, etC " L. HOLLINGS. .President Spreydon Burgesses* • Association. . May 27, 1937. [The Mayor 'Mr J. W. Beanland), to whom this letter was referred, said,

the only comment he wished to make at present was that the meeting to be called by the Spreydon Burgesses' Association would be attended by the City Engineer (Mr A. R. Galbraith) and a member of the City Council, who would no doubt explain the council's attitude.] TO THE EDITOR OV THE PRE.S3. Sir,—My protest against the Mayor's ratfarming proposal is being strongly supported. Mr E. C. Sutcliffe's evidence about the filling o£ "Smart's Pond" and the resultant plague of rats, flies, and odours, should help to convince the residents of Christchurch that a destructor is a necessary evil in our midst. -The "Smart's Pond" experience was merely a minor one to that we will undergo when we have garbage dumps in Papanui, Fendalton, and so on all round the outskirts of the city. Why waste money in cartage if the dumping of filth is such a safe arid health-pro-moting method, as contended by his Worship? Why cart it for miles? There are plenty of vacant sections within the central area and plenty of rats fo cat up the edible scraps amongst the refuse. If we are going in for economy, and can afford to ignore all our previous knowledge of sanitation, well, let us do the job thoroughly. The Public Health Department cannot act very well until a nuisance has been "created." Oh! why was the term of a mayor extended from one year to three?— Yours, etc., HIRAM HUNTER. May 28, 1937.

TO THE EDITOn 0t THE TRESS. Sir, —I understand that it is suggested to dump rubbish at the corner of Rose and Lyttelton streets. Of all the retrograde steps I have ever heard of being taken I consider this the greatest. Surely those in authority have learnt a lesson from the Middleton pit. Do they not remember the old Spreydon dump where rats could be heard at night running over tins, etc.—they sounded more like horses running about. I wonder if it was suggested to dump rubbish up Merivale or Fendalton way what would be said? Impossible, or unhealthy! But it can be dumped at Spreydon; oh, yes, it is not unhealthy to dump there. As a householder near the proposed dump, I can say that some mortgagees may find some houses on their hands. Hoping Dr. Telford will put a short stop to this ridiculous suggestion.— Yours, etc., HYGIENIC. May 31, 1D37.