The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 10, 1901. GISBORNE’S PLAGUE !

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 103, 10 May 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 10, 1901. GISBORNE’S PLAGUE !

The Gisborne people are unusually agitated just now, for the reason that more than one bright young life has recently passed from amongst us, liav- ' ing been stricken down by typhoid fever. All that kindness and care could do has been unavailing, and what we may fairly claim as the best 5 little hospital. in the colony has not ? proved a safe refuge for some of the many who have sought the skill, kindness, attention and-Comfort which are the characteristics of the institution. We have ever refrained from acting the part of alarmists, , and would not say a word now were it not that by striking at this moment an effective blow may be dealt against insanitation generally. We regard as most! improper the publishing of reports that create a scare without effecting any good. But the Council has set up a committee to aid the inspector in his work, and it is to be hoped that that committee will not consider its position is a sinecure, but will energetically prosecute the work that is awaiting it. The committee should obtain exhaustive and perhaps confi- ’ dential reports. But we call upon the * new Council to go even farther than that; to appoint a commission, with the assistance of a Government expert, to ascertain why it is t that a town which- should be the healthiest in the colony is earning for itself such a bad name. The deaths are sad, but they are not by any means the only saddening part of the trouble, for there is trouble in every home where sickness comes. It is necessary to rouse the public to a sense of their duty, but at any cost the Council should apply itself to the r- task of making Gisborne a clean city. ■ * It is doleful indeed for a person who loves his home to pick up newspaper after newspaper and see references made to Gisborne and the amount of typhoid therein. .Quite an exaggerated idea is given of the real state of things, and thereby much harm is done, many people being 'made prone to attack by reason of the fears created. But the fact remains that a great deal requires to be done, and it is madness for the Council to sit-helplessly by and not make still greater efforts. We are pleased to-acknowledge that good iji work has been done in the past, and it is in no carping spirit that the subject is now alluded to. What is required is an active crusade against dirt, and now is the time to take it up, In the meantime we look to the sanitation committee to make its presence felt in the community, and to do its part in restoring that public confidence which is just now considerably shaken. A few facts that came under our notice yesterday morning brings forcibly to mind the necessity for the Council to take immediate steps and prompt action in improving the sanitary conditions of the town. In the main street we are inf ormfed that there are as many as six or seven 'business places using a yard which is scarcely large enough to swing a cat in, and the conveniences of which are certainly in a most deplorable condition. There are" back premises the state of which call for immediate attention, and the owners of which should be compelled to keep them in proper order. On a recent occasion a local doctor inspected one house, and made sundry recommendations with regard to the disposal of waste water and the removal of other causes likely to prove detrimental to the general health. We cannot understand why such attention should be paid to only one house. In the main streets there are yards which are an absolute disgrace to civilsation, being simply reeking with all kinds of filth, One of the first duties of the new Council should be a personal inspection of all premises in the Borough. The presence . of filth must be a menance to public health, and where there are such yards as we have mentionedno time should be lost in having them cleaned. These statements will probably be met with the answer which is becoming a stock one, that all such things will have attention when we get. our water supply and drainage. But jn the mean- 1 time valuable lives -are being lost, ■ which if precautions had been j taken, might have been saved. ‘ The-point that .we wish to emphasise ; is that ilp tjie present time refuse of , all sorts is thrown into the back yards ( and allowed to soak into the ground. The civic authorities should compel c the placing of such in receptacles so c that it rpighfc be disposed of in the E same manner as is the nightsoil. j Slops, wash-water, and other liquid matter shouljl be kept in vessels and t carried awayiat the cost of the Coun- j cil. If a few arge tanks were pbtained £ by the Council this liquid refuse might 1 be carted away, instead of being v thrown into the yards as at present. 11 As an instance of the amount of v ignorance displayed by many house- r holders regarding matters pertaining g to public health we have only to quote fj a case brought under our notice yes- u terday. At a large house, occupied A by from twenty to thirty persons, the ti tanks were running low, and in order to'get a supply of water the persons y in charge of the house might, have Y been seen tipping up the tanks (which c had probably not been cleaned for months) and using the dregs for drinking, cooking, and household purposes. A simple card issued to house- b, lolders. giving, instructions with regard to health upon this and other matters might also be a subject which t 0 the Council should consider. We trust that the Sanitation Committee ap- di pointed by the Council will invite the ar

assistance of the several doctors, and that all precautionary measures against the fever will be taken. AVo would also urge upon householders the necessity for their giving the Council every assistance, as without their aid all efforts of the corporation to promote the cleanliness of the city wdl prove futile.

Mr AY. Arthur, of Te Hapara, advertises two sections in AVaimata and Pouawa for saje. The district football fixture for tomorrow is Ivaiti v. AVest End, and a good game is expected. Mrs" East, of the Gisborne Registry Office, has situations available for married couples, cooks, and general servants.

Captain Edwin reported yesterday afternoon : “ Moderate to strong north-west to west and south-west winds; glass fall; moderate tides.”

Tenders are required by the Public AA r orks Department for a contract for erecting station buildings on the GisborneKaralca railway. The Mangatu Trustees invite tenders for forming a six-foot track on the number one block. All information can be obtained from Mr A. F. Matthews.

Readers of the Times are this morning supplied with a splendid cabled descriptive report of the historical function that took place at Melbourne yesterday. The Mayor of Gisborne has received an official telegram as to the return of Gisborne troopers by the Tongaviro. A meeting of the Contingent Committee is to be hold at 10 o’clock this morning to consider the ffiatter of providing a suitable reception for the returning troopers. In another column, Air E. E. Goldsmith, family and retail grocer, calls attention to several special linos which he

has just received. A choice assortment of pickles and sauces have just been received, including shipments of the famous Hay ward and Co's Flag brand. A telegram received yesterday afternoon from the late Mr Shugar’s former chief on the Pahiatua Herald states: “ The news was received in Pahiatua with the greatest grief. Deceased was full of promise, and of sterling character.” Deceased was a meipber of the Norsowood Tent of the Reeliabites’ Order, and it is intended to take his remains to that place for interment.

The congregation of the Wesleyan Church and other friends are arranging for a welcome soiree to the' Eev. B. F. Both well and Mrs Rothwell, which will

bo held in the Theatre Royal on May 24,

Tea will be served on the tables at 6.30, and a public mooting will be held at eight o’clock. The affair is being taken up with great enthusiasm by members of the church, and the .gathering promises to be a most successful one. The funeral of the late Master Daniel Joseph McGonville, sixth son of Mr and Mrs McConville, of Kaiti, took place at Makaraka yesterday, and was very largely attended. The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. Father O’Connor (assisted by the Rev. Father Crotty), who delivered a most touching address to those assembled. The altar boys of St. Mary’s Church and the Children of Mary were present at the funeral, occupying two brakes in the; procession. A meeting of the Ladies’ Committee for the Hospital Ball was held yesterday afternoon at the Borough Council Chambers. It was stated that arrangements for the ball were in a forward state, and there was every reason to look for a large and representative gathering on the 24th hist. The committee request ladies residing in the country who intend to assist in regard to the supper to send word to Mrs Nolan by Wednesday next, when the committee again meet. -

One of the beautiful gaslight displays for which Messrs Adair Bros, are justly famed was given last night, and attracted a great many spectators. The display was mainly in anticipation of the May ball. A beautiful assortment of choice and fashionable fabrics was shown, being arranged with artistic taste, and causing even the men folk to pause and admire those beauties of adornment that are dear to the hearts of the ladies. There was' - a splendid choice for ladies selecting a costume for the Hospital Ball. The firm is deserving of congratulation for the excellent display made, and the grand stock that is in hand. Mr AV. L. Bees writes : “ The numerous deaths which have occurred in this town recently from typhoid fever afford a practical lesson to us all of the , dangers which attend procrastination and delay in matters concerning the public health. We are accustomed to criticise very sharply the negligence which attends the administration of matters outside our own sphere of influence. The faults of the Wav Office in its conduct of military operations, the indolence of the Government in the matter of roading’ the district and the construction of the railways, and other matters of a like nature afford 'to us suggestive topics for condemnation. It would be better perhaps for the people of Gisborne to look at home and recognise the disgraceful negligence and stupidity which have hitherto marke; 1 our own local administration.” >. A destructive fire cicurred at Ormond on Wednesday just before midnight in a five-roomed dwelling ownfed by. Mr Spurred, headmaster of the local school. Mr Spurred had a fire in the early part of the evening in the front room, which was quite safe when he retired to rest. At about half-past eleven, however, he was aroused by the crackling of fire in the back part of the house, and was startled to find the building in flames. Mr Spurred had barely time to get together a few articles of wearing apparel; he had even to leave without his boots. He is a considerable loser, and. states'that, in addition to losing his personal effects, there was a sum of money amounting to close on .£6O in the house, £53 being in notes. We undei'stand that the dwelling was covered by insurance, but we have not been able to obtain particulars. The weekly meet of the Poverty Bay Hunt Club took place in town yesterday afternoon. > The weather was perfect, but the attendance was hardly up to the average. Mr Cyril White was in charge, but was not riding his favorite hunter, Czar - . His mount did not take kindly to i the work, and, stopping at the first jump, j the popular Master of the Hounds had to secure the services of Mr J. A.. Plarding’s Wariti, which carried Mr White safely to the end of the journey. Mr Malone acted an Huntsman, riding Peter Osbeck, who was in the best of form. Mr Oliver Evans, on Cronje, acted as Whip, and the Hukatere gelding gave his rider no trouble, jumping in a faultless manner throughout. Mr E. Goldsmith Appeared on a fine bay named Baldy, who carried his owner over flip sticks in good style, and made no mistakes. Mr T. ATatkinsBaker ' rode ; a handsome chestnut, whilst Mr Leslie Nolan was mounted on a pretty grey pony that showed a good deal of pace. Mr Charlie Parker rode Threo-cun-ten, and was well to the front during the two cheeks. Mr Pidmrqse was on Champion, arid Mr Acland Hood on a handsome hunter that pulled very hart] at the jumps, and on one occasion brought his rider to earth. Mr L. (J. Goldsmith was present on a shapely Crackshot filly that jumped well. ' Several ladies .tyere present, including Miss Sherratt, who rode Schnapps, and Miss Reynolds on a finelooking bay gelding - Misses Harding (2) were also in attendance. There was the usual host of spectators.' The' first check was at the Park racecourse, where a good run tqok place. In the second cheek the racecourse was skirted, and the rpn finished at the Makaraka Hotel, wijere the fjov/jng bowl awaited the thirsty huntsmen. The next rpeet will take place on Monday, 13th inst.. at Pan-field, Kaitera fcahi, .'uranga Church Services, Sunday next — aimata (with Holy Communion) 11, /aerenga-a-Ifika 3.13, Makauri (with Holy Communion) 7-—Canon Fox.