RATS IN NEWMAEKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18763, 17 July 1924, Page 6

RATS IN NEWMAEKET.

STATEMENT WARMLY DENIED.

INDIGNANT COUNCILLORS.

Scathing denunciation of a statement made recently with regard to rats in Newmarket was voiced by the Borough Council last evening. The allegations in question, stated to have been made by a Newmarket resident, were to the effect that some of the rats were as big as Airedale terriers, that they hunted in posses, and barked at night. It was further stated that a big rat drive was required in Newmarket, and that if plague should ever break out the position of the borough would be perilous in the extreme. A flat denial to these allegations was given by the Mayor. I regard the whole story as an absolute tissue oi' falsehoods!" he declared. "The man should have come before the council il he had had any justifiable ground for complaint, for we have been at all times very keen on keeping the borough clean." Again and again, continued Mr. Donaldson, the council had been congratulated by inspectors on the fine, clean state of Newmarket.

" With regard to Iho necessity for a rat-drive, I may say wo still supply pqison," declared the Mayor, " and I believe we are the only borough still paying for the destruction of the vermin.i So far as the statement with regard to what would happen if disease were to break out, I would remind you that after the 1918 epidemic, we were the first Auckland district to get a clean bill of health, while our death rate was lower than that of Auckland itself." Mr. T. Sawbridge cordially seconded a motion that the council should be supplied with the name of Newmarket's defamer, and that ho bo asked ■to substantiate his charges. " Tell him he must produce the rats to verify these wild statements," exclaimed another councillor. Such statements cannot be allowed to go before the public unchallenged!"