PUBLIC HEALTH MENACE

Evening Star, Issue 19855, 2 May 1928, Page 9

PUBLIC HEALTH MENACE

OCTOPUSES AT ANDERSON'S BAY Tlio octopus lias at hi hied notoriety from tales concerning its ferocity, but a visit to what is known as the Anderson’s Bay Inlet reveals the fact that tin's devilfish can develop into a more serious problem. During the recent storms largo numbers of these unwelcome visitors have been washed into the inlet and left stranded ail along the shores of that unsightly mud Hat. Here they are left to wither away, during which time, they create a most serious menace to the health of the public, and particularly to residents in the surrounding areas, to say nothing of the incalculable harm that must be caused to the school children. At present these creatures present a most unsightly picture, their flesh being of a whitish colour, with a squirmish touch of yellow. What the atmosphere in this vicinity will be like when the sun makes'its appearance and dries up the bodies of these monsters only the residents nearby will be able to tell. Every year this problem arises, but not for the past ten years has thp situation been so serious, was a statement made this morning to a ‘ Star ’ representative by a citizen, who was strongly of ihe opinion that something should be done immediately to remove the present state of affairs. It was the opinion of people on all sides that a move should be made to protect the welfare of the people concerned. By reclaiming a certain portion ,of the inlet the depth of the water would increase sufficiently In allow the octopuses to float out again when a storm abated, and at the same time a great service would also bo done to (bo school children, for the ground reclaimed could be turned into a sports area, which at the present time is badly wanted by the vastly increasing population of the Hay. It might bo mentioned that there is not even one level piece of ground anywhere in the Bay suitable for a children’s playground, so that the reclamation of this inlet, or even a portion of it, would he of material benefit.