HAMILTON'S ADVANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18889, 11 December 1924, Page 11

HAMILTON'S ADVANCE.

WATER AND DRAINAGE.

HEALTH GREATLY IMPROVED.

[by telegraph.— own correspondent. J

HAMILTON. Wednesday.

A few years ago Hamilton was considered one of the most unhealthy towns in New Zealand, according to the annual statistics, but now from the latest Government returns it may be seen that the town has become the healthiest. During two quarterly periods this year the amount of infectious disease has been less per thousand of the population than in any other place in the Dominion. This has been largely due to tho improvements in drainage which have taken place during the last few years, and which have been largely instrumental in tho general improvement in the health of the public. The area where most infection occurred in tho past was Frankton, where the swamp lands seemed to breed diphtheria and other diseases, diphtheria being very prevalent. A most efficient sewerage scheme has now been introduced by the town, and with its advent tho ills of the neighbourhood have practically vanished, tho diminution being in proportion to tho extent of tho work.

In giving a review of the operations of tho past year in Hamilton, the Mayor, Mr. J. K. Fow, laid particular stress on this phase of borough operations, which he regarded as tho most gratifying achievement. He stated that tho various departments of the borough had been particularly active during tho past year, which far outstripped any previous year in the magnitude and importance of the works completed, and at present in progress. Notable was the improvement in the waterworks department. The engineer had just added considerably to the storage capacity, and there was no fear of a shortage, as a new lOin. rising main and an efficient pumping system, electrically driven, made the supply certain, and there should be no need of curtailment in any way for some time. In order to ensure absolute purity from contamination, a chlorinating system had been installed at the pumping station, and a two-unit dechlorinating plant at the reservoir, so that all that passed into the mains was put through theso special, filtrating systems.

A good deal had been done, said Mr. : Fow, to extend the street lighting, which was now fairly complete. Tho gasworks engineer had had a busy year and had carried out many improvements. He had now under consideration an addition to his plant that would increase the output and decrease the cost oi production. The sewerage work had been pushed on and every month more and more people were enabled to connect up with it, the result being that tho old system was gradually heing eliminated. The stormwater system, which was now almost completed, had materially improved az;eaS in all parts of the borough. These improvements in drainage and water svstems had had a marked effect upon tho generalhealth of the town.