WAR ON MOSQUITOES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19779, 28 October 1927, Page 12

WAR ON MOSQUITOES.

AUCKLAND SUMMER PEST. OFFER TO CITY COUNCIL. SERVICES OF AN EXPERT. A request to declare war on the mosquito, and, incidentally, to provide work for some of the unemployed, was made ,to the City Council by the Auckland Mosquito Control Committee last evening. Writing on behalf of the committee, Mr. F. L. Armitage stated that many gullies in the city and suburbs were littered with old tins, bottles, boots and broken household utensils, and these contained water in which mosquitoes bred in unbelievable numbers. The nuisance might be materially reduced by cleaning out the rubbish heaps, by allowing no tins to be placed in tips unless rolled flat, by clearing out partially blocked drains, and by draining or filling in insanitary ponds and ditches. The cleaning-up work, it was suggested, might well be done now, not only as this was the most suitable time of the year, but also as a means of making us© to the best effect of some of the unemployed. The committee offered to the council for a limited period the services of its research officer, Mr. D. H. Graham, but as its funds were limited, it would be necessary for the council to pay part of Mr. Graham's salary. " The information is valuable and the suggestions helpful in bringing about the reduction of mosquitoes," commented the chief sanitary inspector. It was pointed out that provision was made in the bylaws for dealing with conditions on private land or premises giving rise to the breeding of mosquitoes, and the enforcement of this by-law was part of the regular work of sanitary inspection, while street catch-pits were treated with larvicide.

The services of the committee's research officer, it was stated, would be particularly helpful, and would prevent interference with the sanitary inspectors' regular work. It was recommended that Mr. Graham should bo employed full time for six weeks at £5 a week. In so far as the question of a special clean-up referred to the removal of rubbish from private premises likely to form breeding places for mosquitoes, it would appear preferable to extend the facilities of the refuse removal service.

The matter was referred to the Works Committee.