AUCKLAND'S WELFARE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11366, 8 May 1900, Page 3

AUCKLAND'S WELFARE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— question at tho present time is not whether there is a case of plague in Auckland or not, but that all necessary and wise precautions should bo taken to prevent its getting a footing hero. I should like to mako a few suggestions as to the future conduct of the sanitary affairs. 1 In tho first place, to have the sanitary inspection of the City of Auckland and suburbs undor one head, viz., tho polico inspector of Auckland, doing away with the multifarious quibbles and squabbles between the various boroughs and tho City Council as to who is responsible, and who is to pay this or that. The present sanitary inspection is absolutely inadequate, in spite of any assertion to the contrary by those in present power. The spasmodic inspections which have from time to timo been made are utterly useless, as between tho various scares and agitations (which may bo a spore of years) the owners of tho tenements or tenants become lax, and things fall back into tho old ways. The inspection to bo in tho hands of the police. Tho city and suburbs to be divided into blocks, and constables in uniform told off to each block and to report on same. This inspection to be continuous, otherwise it is useloss. A printed form to bo supplied to each constable, who is to see that each tenement complies with tho said form or otherwise ho reports. This will necessitate an increase in the force. 2. As regards removal of rubbish and nightsoil, it is absolutely necessary for tho wellking of the community that both these things must bo removed by compulsion; that is, the authorities must arrange an adequate service of men and vehicles to remove the same at stated intervals, say, twice a week, and each housoholder must provide a portable leceptaolo to put the rubbish in (under pain of a fine) until tho cart calls for same. Each receptacle must have a cover. The men must have authority to enter on tho stated clays of calling and take away (by force, if necessary) the rubbish that has accumulated. It is no use talking about the liberty of the subject, etc.; the community at large must bo studied. Tho cost of such sorvice and • removal of rubbish and nightsoil to lie included in the general rates. It is fatal to the general well-being of the community to allow tho question of the removal or nonremoval to rest upon the option of tho individual, and as long as tho present system cf " pay your money and wo remove, or no pay and wo let you wallow in your filth." exists, so long will people bo found who would rather wallow in their nth than pay. This would not mattor so much if it was only tho individual who suffered, but in all probability he would escape, and all his neighbours would suffer. Now, I would point out that if this removal is not properly attended to, tho polico making their inspection would immediately report the same. All complaints by tenants, etc., to bo made to tho inspecting constable, who will mako report, so that tho matter will be attended to. 3. All animals, poultry,- etc., to bo strictly prohibited in tho city and borough areas. (This is now done in all cities.) No attention need be paid to deputations, oto., from interested individuals, ~ 4. A proper sorvico of men and vehicles to bo employed continuously keeping tho streets and footpaths swept. All cleaning of streets and taking away of rubbish, etc., in tho city area to be finished by eight a.m. It is a most disgraceful thing (not seen in other largo cities I could name) to meet all day long, as one does hero, tho rubbish carts throwing their filthy contents in your face

as you walk along the streets. If this can be done in other cities, why not here? The citizens have no right to bo afflicted in this

way. 5. Where a sewer is available, the owners of properties must be compelled, at their own expense, to put water-closets and connect with sewer, instead of earth pans, to their premises. 6. Queen-street should bo watered every morning before eight o'clock'when it is not actually raining. I need hardly add that the water supply will have to bo improved, not from Henderson or Canty's Creeks, but from somo other source free from pollution; also, that Queenstreet must bo wood-blocked at once, and that sewers should bo made down tho main gullies. • These questions are so patent to all sensible people that it is needless for mo to enlarge further on them at present.— am, etc., CIIAS. Smith. Parnell.