MENACE TO HEALTH THREATENED.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 118, 16 May 1912, Page 5

MENACE TO HEALTH THREATENED.

BY STOPPING OF THE PUMPS

..,?;}.- WAIHI, May 16. A menace to the health of the town is , threatened by the. stoppage ",^of: pumping; operations'. ■■■.■ The congested part, of the town is-drained 'by^ft s>fer-: vice of concrete" ch'aiijiellin'g, 'wash--houses, kitchens, and urinals being d rained into the channels, and the matter is taken into the Ohinemuri River. The channels have been kept clt-an by diverting the water from the mine into them. The same amount of water from the Borough service would reduce the town supply to a dangerous limit. The Borough Council is doing its best to keep the ,channels sluiced out, but if the strike continues for any ' length of time an epidemic may result. '['

It is estimated that the money in circulation in Wajhi is affected to: the esjfcedt of £6000 per week. Shift bosses and tally clerks are patrolling the mines night, arid; day. Affairs at the neighboring mining districts, of Thames and Kararigahake are reported to be • quietjV'i'Th© miners at both places belong to the Thames Miners' Union. It is stated that a section of the •Karangahake miners is showing "a feeling of unrest in sympathy with the jWaihi miners, but so far there have keen no serious indications' of trouble. ;

In referenda to the stoppage of coal going to, the Grand Junction, the Borough Council would have taken it to th© gasworys, being led to believe that no objection would be offered to its cartage. The' Union, hoAveyfer, objected during itte cartage, arid the bulk of the coal had to remain. Efforts were then made by the Mayor to have the coal. taken" to' the.■■'■■hospital, "but the Union held it up.