WORK ON THE AUCKLAND WHARVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11373, 16 May 1900, Page 5

WORK ON THE AUCKLAND WHARVES.

BARRICADES TO BE REMOVED.

At a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday, a letter was read from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce asking the Board to remove the barricades nlaced at the entrance of the Queen-street Wharf and Quay-street Jetty No. 4. The Chamber also enclosed a resolution passed by the Charitable Aid Board concerning the same subject. The Chairman stated that at the request of the Board Dr. Lloyd-Smith had made an examination of the boy who had been isolated at the smallpox hospital, and reported that he was not suffering from plague. The chairman said it was quite clear that the port was clean, and there was no necessity for the barricades to remain. Upon his motion it was agreed to remove the barricades.

At a meeting of the Finance Committee of the Board the other day, a return was asked for showing the amount expended under the Public Health Act. The secretary reported that the total of accounts paid and outstanding was £191 5s 2d. The report of the harbourmaster icontained the following :—" Shipping business has been steady for the fortnight, but not yet up to the average volume ; plague precautions still affecting the Sydney and Island trades. In this connection we are putting vessels to much greater trouble and expense than arc any of the Southern ports."

The Sanitary Commissioner for the province (Dr. G. P. Baldwin) was busy yesterday forenoon inspecting gullies about the city. In the afternoon he made an examination of an apparatus made by Mr. French, of the Thames, for eating houses and vessels' holds. He considers it a very ingenious, effective, and cheap apparatus. One of its advantages is the fact that there is an attachment for estimating at any period of the operation of fumigation the quantity of sulphurous acid.

PRECAUTIONS IN TOE SOUTH.

[BY TELEGRAM.— MESS ASSOCIATION.]

Timaku, Tuesday. The Hospital Board has accepted the offer of the Borough Council of a site, and has authorised a committee to proceed at once with (he erection of a building in wood and iron, for a temporary plague hospital, being of opinion that it is unwise to wait till a case has appeared. If used the building will be burnt, and if not used it will be sold.

Ciinisiruuitcn, Tuesday. Dr. Symes, the Health Commissioner for Canterbury, attended a meeting of the City Council last night, and urged the destruction of city rubbish by fire. A properly-con-structed destructor would be an expensive affair, but a furnace to meet present requirements could be erected for £150.

At a meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council the special inspector submitted an unfavourable report regarding three slaughterhouses, which provide the borough's meat supply. He strongly advised the erection of public abattoirs. The matter was referred to the Sanitary Committee to report.

THE CITY COUNCIL AND BUILDING

BY-LAM'S. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—Now that so much attention is being given to cleanliness, old buildings, etc., it seems strange that the City Council have no power to prevent overcrowding of buildings in the case of new erections. The Mayor stated the other day that tile Council had no building by-law to prevent overcrowding. This appears to me a most remarkable state of affairs. Tho attention of the Karangahape Ward members, and also of the officials mid the Mayor himself, lias boon drawn to the erection of two cottages on one small allotment : one of the cottages has been re-erected out of timber from a previous old cottage. Altogether tlieso structures aro anything but ornamental, and tho ratepayers living near aro wondering why the thing lias been allowed. Of course, if it is all right, and thorn is no by-law to deal with such overcrowding, I suppose anyone else is at liberty to cram as many buildings as possible on one allotment. Tho Mayor and several councillors are members of tho Scenery Conservation Society. How consistent! Auckland has suffered quite sufficiently already in this matter of overcrowding, and if there is no by-law in existence dealing with the crowding of unsightly buildings on small allotments, out of old timbor, then the sooner some member of tho Council, or of the Scenery Conservation Society, or tho 'Ratepayers' Association takes tho matter up and we get such a desirable bylaw, tho bolter for the health and tho appearance of Auckland City. But, is it true- that there is no by-law providing a certain area in the rear of cottages? One of tho cottages I refer to has seven or eight feet at the back. _-I am, etc., Health.