WORST ON RECORD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19893, 22 March 1939, Page 4

WORST ON RECORD

SERIOUS WATER SHORTAGE GISBORNE 1 S PROBLEM RUMOURS OF DISEASE DISCOUNTED BY COUNCIL Gisborne has been passing through the worst water shortage dn Its history, and tihe position remains serious, as a result of a very small rainfall at Waingake. However, according to statements made at last night's meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council, the position is not so serious as rumours suggest.

Cr. H. E. Maude stated that rumourshad been circulated that a large number of cases of typhoid fever were in hospital and that these were attributable to the use of Waipaoa River water in the borough mains, lie suggested that the rumours should be refuted.

Cr. A. L. Singer considered tha' there were no cases of typhoid from the Gisborne borough. Engineer's Statement

The serious nature of the water shortage was reviewed by the borough engineer, Mr. E. R. Thomas, who stated that only slight relief was afforded by the ra'in'early in. the month. "The fall, of rain an March 9," he stated, '•brcugh'. relief to the most serious water shortage that 'has ever occurred. "On Tuesday, March. 7, it was necessary to supplement the run-off from the bush, catchment area by pumping from Mangapoikc Stream and the Waipaoa River, and also by drawing from the reserve supply ;in the Taumata Hill reservoir. Rationing Avoided "At 4 p.m.. on Tuesday a depth of 2ft. of water remained in the Waingake settling tank, and the following morning this depth had only increased to 4ft.* giving a volume of water insufficient to meet a day's requirements. Had rain not fallen that day or the daily consumption been considerably reduced, the rationing of water would have been necessary. "The total rainfall at Waingake for the month to date .is only .33in., .17in. of which has fallen since March 8. Although, relief came, it has only been slight, and pumping from the Mangapoike Stream was again necessary on Thursday, March 16.'-

NO GISBORNE TYPHOID HEALTH OFFICER'S DENIAL 0000 HEALTH RECORD Rumours iof typhoid fever in the Gisborne Borough were refuted by the medical officer of health, Dr. L. S. Davis, when interviewed today. "So little Waipaoa River water hasbeen used in the mains and what has been used lias been so intensely chlorinated rhat there has been no possibility of it carrying any bacterial disease," Dr. Davis said. He added that no- cases of typhoid had developed in the borough recently. One case was reported from the town some weeks ago, but that was in respect of a drover who developed the disease outside the borough and, in fact, outside the East Cape health district altogether. There were, of course, always a few cases cropping up in the district, but none of the present cases was .from the borough. "The health of the town and, in fact, of the whole district is particularly good at present, so far as notifiable disease is concerned," Dr. Davis added. "There has been practically no diphtheria, which often crops up at this time of the year, and altogether very few cases of infectious disease have been reported, although there are still a considerable amount of measles in some outlying districts."