HEALTH MATTERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2194, 25 September 1907, Page 1

HEALTH MATTERS.

Dr. DoLisle, District Health Offir cor, reported to the Borough Council last evening that he had visited a houso owned 'and occupied uy tho lion. Jas. Carroll, situated at Waikanao, in which two cases of enteric fovor had occurred. In connection with a drain to tho creek, ho found that the drain was unventilated, and when tho tide rose tho. sewage was backed up. Tho water in the tanks was dirty, the tanks being, contaminated with deposit, and having tho appearance of not having been cleaned for a considerable time. Dr. Do Lisle was of opinion that these 1 conditions constituted a nuisance and a menace to the health of the inmates. Ho rocommended that tho water tanks bo emptied and thoroughly cleaned and scrubbed out, also that tho drain bo ventilated by tho fixing of 'a fresh air inlet placed abovo high water mark, and a terminal shaft carried up abovo tho oaves of tho houso, at tho head of the drain. Ho called on the Council, ias tho local health authority, to serve notice on tho owner within fourteen days of the date of his letter (Sept. 10th). Dr. DeLislo also reported that ho had inspected the effluent from a septic tank, connected with premises occupied by Mr. A. F. Kennedy. The effluent' flowed into tho water table, and, he regretted to say, was offensive, a nuisance and a menace to tho health of the neighborhood in the immediate vicinity. The nuisanco was 1 further enhanced by the defective condition of the water table along which the effluent is expected to flow. This was overgrown with weeds that backed up the effluent, causing it to remain stagnant and pestify in front of the adjacent houses. Regarding the state of the septic tank, the probable cause was that there was only one filter bed, and this became waterlogged, preventing tho complete purification of tho’effluent of the tank by aeration. The Health Officer ordered that a second filter-bed bo installed without, delay, so that each might have its quota of eight hours’ work, with eight hours’ rest, the work to bo placed in hand within a month. Ho also directed the Council to liavo the water-table cleared out. The District Health Officer condemned a building situated on tho i Kaiti beach, owned and in tho occupation of Air. AVliiHock. The house was very badly dilapidated, insani- | tary, and overcrowded. He consider- | cd the owner should bo required to | pull down the building within one month. I

Finally tho Health Officer ordered a notice to bo served on Air. Pearce, AVhataupoko, to have a batli effluent properly trapped, the said pipe to empty over an" intercepting gully of approved pattern.

Cr. Bright suid that the owner mentioned who had put in the septic tank would be very disappointed with its failure. Ho was a gentleman who had always been anxious to comply in every way with the by-laws, and bad put the tank down to secure better sanitation.

The Alayor : Yes. He will no doubt have it rectified when ho returns home.

With regard to the condemned residence, Cr. Bright said the Council should not act harshly. The family were not in good circumstances, or they would not resido there. Cr. Ahann : The residence is by itself, and does not affect anyone else. Cr. Sheridan : It would bo a shame to deprive them of their homo in such summary fashion. Cr. Bright: AVe cpuld not turn any peoplo out without finding another house for them.

It was pointed out that the Council had before decided against any residences there. The matter was deferred.

Tho serving of orders in the other eases was confirmed.