POLLUTION OF BEACHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15769, 18 November 1914, Page 9

POLLUTION OF BEACHES.

INSPECTION AT ONEHUNGA. An" official inspection of the beaches in the Manukau Harbour was made yesterday by the Onehunga Borough Council in connection with the reports recently circulated to the effect that the Manukau beaches wero being polluted with sewage, presumably from the Onehunga drainage, which flows into the harbour. The party consisted of Messrs. J. Stoupe, Deputy-Mayor, E. V. Sutherland, T. H. Pardington, and H. A. Yockney, town clerk, representing the Borough Council. Dr. R. H. Makgill, districthealth officer. Mr. H. Metcalfe, borough engineer, and Captain John Neale, late harbourmaster for many years at Oiehunga. Mr. J. Howe, Mayor, was unable to go, owing to illness.

The party first inspected the beach from the bottom of Captain Street, Onehunga, to the old coal wharf. They then visited the Mangere foreshore opposite the Onehunga Wharf being taken across the harbour in a motor-launch. Waikowhai Bay was next visited, and then the bay on the Onehunga side of the bluff.

The upper reaches of the Manukau Harbour were next inspected, as far as Waikaraka Cemetery. The party then landed at the Onehunga Wharf and inspected the beach beside the railway, and under the wharf.

Notwithstanding that many miles of beach were examined from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., it was stated that not the slightest evidence Qf pollution from any source was found. In fact, the visitors expressed their pleasure at finding the beaches so clean. It is understood that several reports will be made to the meeting of the Onehunga Borough Council next Monday in regard to the investigations made yesterday.