SUBURBAN AREAS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 127, 3 June 1929, Page 4

SUBURBAN AREAS

SANITARY CONDITIONS

HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT

Dr. W, F, Piiidlay, mcaical oflicer of health, in his anuual report makes the. following comments in regard to sanitary conditions in the suburban and country area of Wellington:— Lower Hutt. —Population, 10,725. The standard of sanitation- continues to improve in all directions in this borough. The new bylaws are well up to standard, and the work generally of tli3 sanitary staff is efficient. The rate of increase in this borough has been so great that the Borough Council is in gomo respects bard put to it to keep pace with developments; especially is this so when jt is remembered that the outlying nature of certain portions particularly adds to the difficulties. Sooner or later this borough will require to combine with Petone in the erection of a destructor, somewhere in the neighbourhood of the industrial area possibly. In time, there will be practically no place available for tipping, even if carried out. according to up-to-date English methods. The report describes the progress in drainage work during the year. Petone.—'Population, 10,190. Sanitary conditions good. The methods of garbage disposal require attention periodically. Tlie conditions on the Petone Beach have improved. The Gear Company has devoted considerable time in experimentation and the installation of a new save-all, also several self-cleans-ing screens. Tliese are proving very effective. The gut-works have also adopted similar methods, and have improved and extended their outfall. The Woollen Company is also making improvements, The council is due to place before the ratepayers a proposal to borrow £61,000 for larger watermains in the borough and increased pumping facilities, Eastbourne.—Population, 1960. There is little land available in this borough for new subdivisions. The necessity for water and drainage again became apparent on. many occasions. I asked the Board of Health to make a requisition requiring tlip council to provide these amenities. A sub-committee investigated and duly reported to the board, •whicli has decided to issue a requisition. The site utilised by the council for the disposal of garbage is not really satinfactory in. that many people utilise the surrounding area as a pleasure resort. As soon as possible tho council should consider the question of transport of all refuse to an areaMn the Lower Hutt industrial site. In the future the- destructor situated in this region . will require to serve Lower Hutt, Petone, and Eastbourne. Upper Hutt,—Population, 3050. Eecont chemical analysis shows the water supply to bo of good quality. New health and sanitation bylaws are now in force! Administration of these should ijnprove several matters which were not satisfactory in the past. During the year the £|orough Council applied to the Loans Board re funds, for a drainage scheme. The board refuses to approve of the application at present. The question of drainage for this borough, in yvew of Its steady progress, must not be lost Bight, of. Johnsonville.—Population, 1290. The new wafer supply from the Ohariu valley has projved most valuable during the dry sunimor months!.. ;..'. ..".', Makai-a County.—Population, 4135. Conditions in this county arc on the whole good. -The,-bylaws are efficient. Titahi Boy.—The seaside resort of Titahi Bay requires careful supervision as regards sanitation. With regard to water supply, Porirua, Titahi Bay, and no doubt Tawa Flat will requiro the services of the Water Board. The council should exercise great caro in the layout and town-planning of Tawa Flat. Hutt County.-—Population, ..7250. The whole of the county is now controlled by the sanitation and health bylaws. In many, parts of this county there are areas which are now townships or will become ao in' ,the future. . There is at times a tendency for houses to bo erected which arc not altogether what they should be as regards structure and sanitary appliances.-. The council must -watch this matter carefully. Several of the areas in this county: will sooner or later require both, water and drainage. With regard to Day's Bay, a requisition has been made to the Board of Health that these amenities be' provided. The settlement at Point How-' ard requires water. The problems of tins council are somewhat difficult in that'it administers rural areas and more closely settled aroas. A great opportunity exists in the county for the ap. plication of tho best town-planning principles, thus removing in some instances serious administrative difficul- -| ties in the future-. ■