HEALTH OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 135, 18 June 1901, Page 4

HEALTH OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATIONS.

MUST HAVE WATER AND DRAINAGE.

A long report lias been received from Dr Valentino on the subject of the health of Gisborne. Under the heading “ Recommendations ” he states :

As intimated in my remarks of May 18, when I had the honor of conferring with the Borough Council and some members of the adjoining Road Boards, I am entirely of opinion that in the interests of Gisborne and its environs, it is absolutely essential that the borough bo provided with an efficient water and drainage scheme with as little delay as possible. This advice has not been lightly given,'for I am well aware that I have recommended the Council to embark on a serious undertaking. But as I have endeavored to show in this report, grave reasons make such a recommendation imperative. In the earlier lines of this report I drew attention to the undue preponderance of infectious diseases within the borough. My visits of inspection have convinced me that local conditions lend themselves only too readily to the cultivation and propagation of an infectious disease that has once been inroduced; and again the apparent apathy of the major portion of the inhabitants to their sanitary surroundings give mo no alternative but to emphasise what I have already recommended. ~ The undue prevalence of prevcntible disease is a stain upon the fair name of a town which not only possesses many natural advantages, but is also the centro of one of the most historic districts in the colony. It remains with the inhabitants to remove this stain. This cannot bo accomplished by spasmodic efforts, but only by the united, vigorous action of a people alive to the importance and possibilities of sanitary reform. There is absolutely no reason why Gisborne should not bo one of the healthiest towns in the colony. I am glad that at the above-mentioned mooting (of May 18th) the local bodies of "North Gisborne and Haiti concurred with the Borough Council as to the advisability of forming one largo sanitary area. This is decidedly a step in the right direction, both as regards general sanitation and economy, and will for ever do away with a question which has often been a vexed one between borough councils and adjoining local bodies in many parts of the colony. I have inspected the map with the suggested boundaries, aud have omy to congratulate the members of the local bodies concerned on their unanimity on so important a question.

My recommendations have been given in various parts of my report, but, to recapitulate, they are (1) A wator and drainage scheme for the Borough, separate provision to be made for surface drainage. (2) The erection of destructors at the Hospital and at the nightsoil depot. (3) The * acquirement of tho land on the Wai-o-hi-haroro block for the now cemetery.

(4) That greater care bo taken to' destroy infected stools. (5) That the Waikanae drain be diverted mleur of the town. (6) The removal of certain buildings mentioned in the report. I have read with interest the report of the Sanitation Committee;- and can thoroughly endorse their recommendations to the Council, particularly with regard to the public urinals, the clearing of the streets, and the banishment of fowls from the more crowded portions of the Borough.