MENACE TO HEALTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 91, 14 October 1943, Page 6

MENACE TO HEALTH

SEWAGE OVERFLOW

RESIDENTS PERTURBED

Rainfall of any consequence is viewed with misgivings by some residents of Karori, and if it happens to be heavy, as was the case last night, those people have cause for alarm. The fact is that the falls account for flooding which is regarded as being a serious menace to the health of the affected area. Some properties in a thickly populated part of the district, with lawns and gardens of well-kept appearance, were not at all pleasing to look upon last night and this morning. They were strewn with filth from the sewers. It was a sight not only most unpleasant to the eye but greatly disturbing from the point of view ol health, especially as in that particular residential area there are many young children. NOT UNUSUAL. The experience is not new. The concern of residents has been voiced previously and representations made to the health and civic authorities, but the recurrences of late have offered plain evidence that nothing has been done to remove the menace. On one property the> gushing from the sumps caused flooding a foot deep, and with the receding of the waters a filthy mess was left. This sewage trouble is the more disturbing because of the fact that the affected area is much higher than that which in the past has been subjected to flooding through the overflowing of the stormwater drains. However, it is said to bear direct relationship with the lack of sufficient drainage for the storm water. When representations were made some time ago by the Karori Progressive Association the seriousness of the position was stressed to the Minister of Health. At that time there were some cases of diphtheria in the locality, and, while they may not have resulted from the particular menace, it was felt that unless a corrective were applied the health of the community would be endangered. . Reference to the cause of the inconvenience to residents was made today by the City Engineer (Mr. K. E Luke). It was recognised, he said that relief to' these residents was an urgeni matter. He had been constructing a relieving sewer, but until labour was available for this work, which had been before the council foi many years, the remainder of the jot could not be put in hand.