Flies

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30367, 17 February 1964, Page 3

Flies

Sir,—Flies were very effectively disposed of some years ago at Christchurch Hospital and at other of the board’s institutions. At Christchurch Hospital about eight traps were placed at intervals in the grounds out in the sunshine, and the haul of dead flies every day was amazing, about a bucketful being the usual catch. The consequence was a hospital largely fly-free. The secret of success lies in the regular changing of the bait every three days or so. Flies like fresh fish or offal, and if traps are serviced properly and regularly the result is simply astounding. A fly trap placed adjacent to a house, will keep it largely fly-free and it is. not a nuisance. Many who saw the traps at the hospital—they were made in 'the City—full of buzzing flies, thought that the pest could be greatly reduced by the use of traps—hundreds of them—all over the city.—Yours, etc., ALEX. PRENTICE. Februai.. 14, 1964.

Sir,—Congratulation to Lady Fergusson for her outspoken criticism of the filthy state of some beaches and picnic spots; also to “Kiwi,” who ha® my full support. A copy of “Kiwi’s” letter should be forwarded to the councillor concerned, bringing the shockingly dirty conditions of our beaches to their notice, as it is surely evident that the members are not aware of them. Also, I think that the manufacturers of the sweets and ice-creams in containers should be compelled to supply adequate containers to hold all this litter caused by their products. Would it be possible to run a bulldozer along the popular beaches, (Sumner and Taylor’s Mistake) once in a while, as they do on the beaches in

Australia? How often does a health inspector visit beaches and inspect the back premises of food shops where refuse is piled high, surely a health menace? —Yours, etc., ANOTHER KIWI. . February 14, 1964.

Sir,—Does Auckland have as much trouble as Christchurch from flies? Their civic composting plant must have considerably reduced the insect population there. With public transport cleared of tobacco fumes and trash and waste used for fertiliser for profit, their air clearance must be an advance on ours. —Yours, etc., WHY LAG? February 14, 1964.

Sir,—The Health Department is having an anti-fly campaign. I would like to know how much is spent on research and destroying the breeding grounds of flies. The Health Department could issue insecticides at reduced prices, but it does nothing about it, probably because of fear of pressure from vested interests. A clean-up of the rubbish and the banning of dogs on local beaches would go a long way to combating this menace successfully.— Yours, etc., DISILLUSIONED NATIONALIST. February 14, 1964.

Sir, —I sometimes wonder why I have to read such drivel as is penned by your correspondent signing himself (or more likely herself) “Doggonem.” Dogs have been blamed for most things in New Zealand except the “poor” summer and cancer! But now it’s the flies. “Doggonem” should go over to England where few families are without a dog and yet all the unfortunate English seem to survive under the “dog menace.”— Yours, etc., DOG NUT. • February 16, 1964.