A POSSIBLE PLAGUE SPOT.

Evening Star, Issue 16629, 11 January 1918, Page 4

A POSSIBLE PLAGUE SPOT.

TO THE BDITOS. 1 Sir, —With the arrival of hot weather the menace of “ Lake ” Logan is developing in an alarming fashion. Just now there is a plague of flies in the-vicinity the “lake.” Even in my house, which is a little distance from the “lake,” there are hundreds of small flies on the windows, the ceilings, and the inside as well as the outside walls. In Harbor terrace, adjoining the “lake,” the flies are at times as thick as the sandflies on Milford Sound Track. Lour readers would doubtlessnoticeffrom the Plmiket nurse’s report in your paper recently that mothers in the neighborhood were unable to leave their babies out in the fresh air because of the flies, and ■that in consequence they were not thriving so well. When there is heavy rain relief is given to the main by opening a vent which permits unspeakable household d ,‘ aula S e to bo discharged into the lake, from which it cannot possibly get out. Now, to come to the point. The removal of the causes that make “Lake” Logan a possible source of serious infection is surely not a local matter, but cne affecting the health of the whole of the inhabitants of Dunedin. The ‘Star’s’ vigorous championship of a cause or exposure of a menace has frequently in the past brought about the desired reform. We iu this district have a Vigilance Committee, who have already done good service, but wo are convinced 'that the only way in which we are likely to get something effective done to repair one of the worst and most dangerous blunders ever perpetrated in the City is to enlist the sympathy of a fighting Press. What I have to ask, then (and my action has the approval of the Vigilance Committee) is Will the ‘Star’ take up the “Lake” Logan menace with its customary vigor and_ with a determination not to 'let the subject drop until the responsible authorities are forced to take steps to have this cesspool removed from the people’s doors ? I need hardly remind you of the proximity of the Albany Street School, and with your recognised zeal in the cause of education I am confident that your pen will be used to some purpose to prevent the scholars from being poisoned through having to inhale such a vicious atmosphere. Then, not for the first time, will the ‘ Star ’ earn the gratitude of the people, especially of parents.—l am, etc., Fatheb op Five. January 11.