CITY SANITATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10138, 28 November 1918, Page 6

CITY SANITATION

REPORT FROM WELLINGTON NORTH. The Rev. S. Robertson Orr, in charge of Wellington North, has forwarded a copy of the report furnished to him by the special sanitary inspectors. This report states : “Wo have sprayed and fumigated at least 400 private houses, hotels, boardinghouses, restaurants, etc., and think our efforts have been appreciated, and in practically no instance wore wo refused admission. Like the other centres, this district contains many houses that require attention by the city authorities —some of them being quite unfit for human habitation. In this class is No. — —, Karori road, containing two rooms and a lean-to, and owned by one and occupied by a mother and four children; also No. - —, Thorndon quay, containing three rooms, in which five or six adults are living. These two houses, are particularly bad, and tho city inspector should attend to tjjom at once. These are but two typical cases of many in the district. A house in Hawkestone street is in a very bad state of repair, and SJTould have immediate attention, otherwise the health of the occupiers will bo materially endangered. The owner of this is the Public Trustee, and a special report is already in the hands of the Mayor.” The inspectors suggest .that, when new regulations are being considered, tho following should bo given consideration :

1. That all glasses, cups, and drinking vessels used in all public buildings should he thoroughly sterilised. Ac the present time some of the glasses use<T In many hotels and marble bars are simply rinsed through cold, and in many instances dirty, water. 2. Occupants of all dwellings, etc., should ho notified to keep windows opened, and houses thoroughly aired. 3. Notices should be printed and placed in the hands of keepers of all hotels, boardinghouses, eating-houses, restaurants, marble -Thus, apartmenthouses, fruit shops, and tho like, whose buildings are found in a clean condition. Notices to bear date of inspection and to bo shown in a conspicuous place. It is obvious that once the public knew tho significance of these notices, and where they can be seen, it would have a material effect on the keepers of these houses. Their absence would mean loss of trade and confidence, a condition of affairs which would not be allowed to remain for any length of time. 4. A bill should he put through Parliament during the present session giving the municipal bodies whatever additional powers are required to take all steps necessary during a crisis, not onl ylike tho present, but at all times, to enable them to overcome any trouble that may arise—such bill to give the municipal bodies abeoluto power to inspect all buildings inside and outside, and to place them in the position of being able to enforce compliance with their instructions without seeking any further authority.