AN ALARMING REPORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 14 February 1914, Page 6

AN ALARMING REPORT

CITY'S INSANITARY CONDITION"

HEALTH OFFICER S STATEMENTS

At last night's meeting of the C:ty Council, the following report was read from Dr Herbert Chesson, District Health Officer :

"On the 27th instant I visited your eitv principally with reference to the occurrence of many eases of diphtheria, therein. In the course ot my inspect: >ns I noticed many conditions which woulcl predispose to an outbreak of many diseases. especially one of this nature. The foul open drains in Toi Toi-street have been the subject of previous correspondence. and I understand- that the extension of the sewer in this direction is to be undertaken as soon as yon have the necessary pipes. I trust that it w*iil not be long before you are able to get this mattc-r in hand. It is certainly very objectionable that the premises in this neighbourhood should discharge their waste waters into the existing storm water channels. These channels require a good deal of attention, and should- be regraded, and absolutely cleared of all -weeds, so as to prevent any accumulation of stagnant water therein. "In the city itself it appeared to me that there was a lack of sufficient competent inspection. I noticed the hack yards in manv instances to b? ;n a disgraceful condition front the accumulation of rubbish. Th's is a matter which vour Inspector of Nuisances should have constantly under his observation. and take active measures to ensure the effective carrying out of the city by-laws. "The plumbim wnk is also a matter which seems to be suffering from a lack of sufficient- inspection. In one instance I noticed the water supply was connected directly to the closet pan. the method adopted when flushing was required, being to turn on the tap. This is a defect "which might end 111 disastrous quences at any time to your c'.tv. and it is a• wonder to me that something has not- already occurred through the contamination of the public water supply from such a- source, \ollr plumbing inspector should unquestionably make a house to house visit to find' out if an\ more of these dangerous connections exist. The premises in which 1 noticed this defect are- situated in Bridge-street. "Another point which calls for comment is the presence in the centre of the city of premises not connected with the public sewers ; for instance the buildings along the west side of Trafalgar-street, fronT Hardy-street to Selwyn Place, are either served by the night soil service, or. as in one case, discharge their sewage into a- cesspit. I can hardly imagine anything more abominable than a cesspit in the centre of a city, especially one which on account of its climate and beautiful situation, prides itself 011 being a health report for the Dominion. It also seems deplorable that owing to certain defects in the sewage system it is impossible to use the septic tank, and that crude sewage is, therefore, discharged iitto the water of the inner harbour. This must eventually end t in Trouble, and even now. when proceeding along the water front- at low tide one • notices smells of a very'offensive nature, and which are very suggestive of sewage. - I would urge the Council therefore, to push on with all possible speed the work of extending and improving the present, sewage system. "I noticed in several places washbasins deliberately installed with waste pipes discharging cn to the roof of a lean-to portion of , buildings. I cannot •understand how such fittings could be passeed by or permitted to exist by your pi limbing inspect or. or Inspector of Nuisances." , , - 1 The City Engineer submitted the totlowing memo on the report 1 1: — :: "The open'drains of the city are being attended to by a special staff, and I have instructed that Toi Toi Valley and other drains in that paTt of the city shall receive eariv "attention. In my opinion the Health Officer's letter is mild and moderate compared with the actual facts, which are disgusting. The plumbing referred to is work executed probably prior to the date of the sanitarv by-law, but which should have never been allowed all the same. "The position appears to have arisen out of administrative conditons whereby the inspector has been made subordinate to the Town Clerk and Engineer instead of being as the law provides, and independent- officer, with the right to initiative in all matters coming under his jurisdiction. The present officer (and. I can hardlv blame him) appears consequently to look for instructions, rather than to forestall the conditions which make instruction necessary. A-> neither the Town Clerk nor the Engineer are in a position to search out and pro\ ide work for the in-nector. matters are allowed to take their course until a complaint from outside is received. "If it is part of the Engineer's duty to act- as inspector of nuisances in order to be in a position to instruct the inspector what to do. then he might just as well be the inspector and save duplication of the office. The Engineer, however, has ho time to make a proper and continual house to house. inspection of the city such a* should be made, and I take it his duty is to attend to special oases brought under his notice by the inspector, and generally to advise arid diTect him. . .

"Attached hereto are the Engineerj; ciructions of the 25th February. 1913. to the inspector, and T would suggest that he should be heard in explanation of how he has earned them out, especially with regard to the systematic inppection of the city, the reports he is directed to make, and the records he is supposed- to keep.'" C'r Mercer moved that the letter from the Health Officer be referred to a Committee of the whole Council, and that the Inspector of Nuisances be requested to attend the meetinc. Seconded by Cr \\ ebley. ■ Councillors' were impressed _ with the grave nature of the report from the Health Officer. The motion was carried. The District Health Officer also forwarded a, detailed report on a number of premises, pointing out defects in sanitation and making" various recommendations for their improvement. In one or two cases certificates of condemnation were enclosed.' . A number of premises weread versel v reported on by the District Health Officer (Dr. Chesson). The Mayor moved that a cop_\ ot the reports should be sent to the \ar. on owners, and that the Municipal Association's solicitor be asked as to the Council'* powers in the matter. Cr. Hin-pson seconded the motion. Cr Pioer was opposed to drastic action ' without it was absolute y necessary- Many of the places could be 1 e-

paired, ihcnl'olo 1.1n• Council should not, tirdCr them 10 be pulle-d down until an opportunity hail been given for repairs. (Jr. liar ley was .-urpri.M d at tile information contained in t lie reports. There was something- t vidently wrong. If ihe premises were in anything like the state mentioned they should be immediately cleaned up. Homo of the places dealt with were unite good enough to repair.

Cr. YVebley said there were many buildings in Nelson thai should be pulled down.

The motion was carried

Cr Harley said that he was surprised to hear that after all these years there were many- places which were not connected with the sewerage scheme. He moved that a list be prepared by the City Engineer showing the places that could be connected anil were nut. Cr. Robertson seconded the motion, whii h was carried.