SANATORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9152, 6 September 1888, Page 3

SANATORY.

TO THE EDITOR. Replying to a correspondent " Surgeon," with reference to the charges made by the local authorities for water supply to closets, apart from the fact that a- very large amount of water is used, the objection raised by the harbour authorities to the excreta going into the harbonr has no doubt been one of the causes why the City Council have nob encouraged such closets, by making the charges lower. The earth closets, if properly kept, and refuse regularly removed at short intervals, is undoubtedly the best method. Water closets in houses are convenient, but whether thsy are quite wholesome is another matter. I am informed that in some houses the waste of water is prodigious, and when stoppages have occurred, instances are known where the closet plug has been found to be fixed up, and the water allowed to run continuously, rather than get a plumber to remove the obstruction. Whether it would not be desirable in the interests of public health and cleanliness to remove both the city refuse and nightsoil out of ordinary sources of revenue is a question well worthy of consideration. Any apparent injustice to ratepayers who use water closets or utilise the refuse, would be met by the consideration of the conservation of the public health. At present, refuse is either hid away or thrown on the streets, while the removal of nightsoil is a constant source of annoyance, and is evaded to a large extent by those who own property and those whose means prevent them doing all they could wish. The forced regular removal would at least remove one source of publio danger.—l am, &c, Advance.