HOKITIKA REFUSE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 May 1925, Page 3

HOKITIKA REFUSE

HEALTH b'OABD’S DEMAND (Odr Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, May 15. A special meeting of the Borough Council was held on Wednesday evening to meet members of the Board of Health, viz., Mr. McLean and Drs. McKibbin and Telford. There were present the Mayor (Mr. Perry) and Crs. Jas. King, W. Jeffries, S. F. Orr, G. Heinz;’ H. T. Parry and G. H. Blank. Apologies were received for the absence of Crs. Coulson, Evans and Elcock. The Mayor introduced the deputation.

Mr. McLean thanked the 'Mayor and Council for their welcome. He referred to correspondence that has been passing between the Council and the Board on certain matters affecting the Borough but no finality had been arrived at. They had come therefore, to have a quiet talk with the Council and state definitely what they require. Mr. McLean then went on to say that in all towns of 500 and over they desired that a system should be established for the removal of household refuse. He informed the Council that the Board have wide powers to compel their wishes being carried out, and also pointed out the grave danger to disease by household garbage being allowed to lie about. The cost would be very little he said, about 6d. a week each household.

The Mayor pointed out that the Borough had already done something in this direction, but the only rubbish the people brought out were kerosene and other tins. He also pointed the absurdity of the payment of 6d. per house per week for the collection of refuse, pointing out that in Hokitika that would mean a sum of over £6OO per annum, nearly half their rates. The town always had a clean health sheet, and stated that only recently he had noted the fact that the average age of persons who died; (excepting infants under one year) was 68£ years. The great rainfall had a purifying effect. The words of Mr. McLean about disease reminded him of the early days of the rush to the Coast when the Government authorities warned men against coming here as it was a land of great swamps, and that all kinds of levers would decimate them. Hokitika was one of the most healthy spots in New Zealand. It was one thing for the Board to urge on them these schemes but it was a small community and the burden of finance would be too great for a severage scheme as had previously been suggested. They had engaged an engineer to come over and report on the possibility of a sewerage scheme, but the report pad not come to hand. “We do not look upon the point of view 're compulsion,” added the Mayor, “because the ratepayers have the say whether they will pay for the schemes. If they refuse, would the Board pay for it?

Mr. McLean said he understood that a report was in preparation, but he understood it was for but one portion of the town. It should be a part of a whole scheme to be completed as finances warranted Mr. McLean then again referred to the removal of household refuse. He wanted to know what the Council intended doing in the matter, and dwelt on the danger of contamination by flies etc. He. was not present, he said, to make a bargain on behalf of the Board of Health. He could not do that. Dr. McKibbin said there must be some reason why the Borough had not installed a refuse removal service. The Board considered that it was not only a matter of disease, but they had to train the young idea and the Council should set the example. Dr. Telford stated that Hokitika had not made the same progress in the matter of collection of refuse as Westport or Greymouth. Cr. Jeffries referred to the difficulties in the way of a sewerage scheme by the low-lying portion of the town. The Mayor also emphasised - f the fact that the expense would be too great for the town to bear. Mr. McLean having referred to ashes and pealings as some bf the refuse to be removed. Crs. Blank and Heinz pointed out that the ashes was one of the best fertilisers and were nut into the gardens, and generally potato and other pealings were boiled up for fowls Oi’ collected for pig feed. •

AtVr two hours’ talk Cr. Jeffries moved and Cr. Heinz seconded that the request of the Board \ be placed before the Council at their meeting on May 22. This was carried and the visitors

having thanked the Mayor and Councillors for giving them the opportunity to have the talk, withdrew.