Sanitary Conditions.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 168, 21 July 1908, Page 6

Sanitary Conditions.

Afc Friday's meeting of the Wallace County Council, the District Health Officer forwarded reports of inspections at Nightcaps and Orepuki, r the * sanitary conditions of which Stown ships were not favonrably'commented on, the report | stating that " these towns are m a ! verj insanitary conoition, as m addition to specified cases drains were frequently found defective or else wanting altogether, and fowlhouses required periodic cleansing and lime washing." Dr. Ogston adds: "You require an inspector with some knowledge of sanitary matters to make periodic examinations of your county generally, and I have to ask your county council to consider this requirement." Di\ Ogst-n attended the council meeting ia £ support of his suggestion. H|Mr Cameron, the HeaHh Officer m charge of this part of the district, had been unable to overtake the work, which accounted for the- inspection having been made by Mr Gladstone. The Doctor explained that the record he now bad of all the premises would be of use m ihe event of any epideiniabreaking out, m assisting to trace tlie source of such epidemic. The reports might appear to' councillors long, but they were not a bit *- longer than other places. The same inspection was mnde iv other places. As places' got- older, fry, accnmulstvm of dirt increased. Tlie time had arrived when such towns should have a nightsoil service, and he would like the council to take"" into consideration the establishment of some such {service.' Mr Cameron would be/ glad to supply any information ihe council might desire. Dr Ogston advocated, a water supply scheme being'inaugur- . atod m such a town as Otautau. He recommended tbe council to bring the condition of the Orepuki " school accommodation under the notice of the Education Department, with a view to immediate remedial steps. The case of residences at Nightcaps where five persons were, occupying one room was mentioned, and this was a contravention of the Public Health Act. SANITARY INSPECTOR. Tht Departmen* Jsuggeft ted ihe appointment of a,n inspector for the who/could do all the inspection of the "towns m the county, such "as Riverton, Otautau, and Orepuki. He believed that such an appointment . could be made practicable, and useful. ./; Cr. I%st, m tbankingPDr. Ogston, said that perhaps the Department, had a man injjview who could be appointed to undertake the inspection and carrying out the recommendations made, and if the council should be agreeable . tn such "appointment it would"'take the onus off the council of acting igains!; a i number of ratepayers. Dr. Ogston said there was a difficulty m. carrying out such a recommendation as the Department was authorised to make such appointments, although the responsibility devolved on them of seeing that necessary imprvements suggested were complied with. In the event of business placets being found insanitary, and the owner refusing to carry out improvements, tjien the factory inspector could simply stop his business and close up his premises till the demands*of the Health Department are complied with. Cr Newton seconded the vote of thanks. Cr. King asked the doctor how he would propose to deal with the overcrowding diffienl fey when a|man could not afford to add to his dwelling. .- The Doctor rsplied that it was a very difficult proposition, but where people couldn't afford it, the Charitable Aid Boards could step m. Where men were earning good wages, it should be insisted that proper accommodation was provided for their families. The Doctor brought an instructive address to a close with some useful information of a general nature as to the carrying into,- effect the various recommendations - of his Department.