UNSIGHTLY SPOTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20784, 20 July 1937, Page 4

UNSIGHTLY SPOTS

To the Editor of “ The Timaru Herald.” Sir,—As one always interested in the welfare of the community, I am often at a loss to understand why things detrimental to our greatest asset, public health, are allowed to exist. The cause of my complaint is a trench of stagnant filthy water and mud about three chains in length at the foot of the cliff facing the Railway Station. Such conditions would not be allowed or tolerated on private property and would be condemned by our sanitary inspectors as a menace to public health. And yet at the very entrance to our town, there is allowed to exist this unhealthy and unlawful state of affairs. To make matters worse, there are on occasion as many as fifteen motor cars parked along this side of the street with their front wheels stirring up the quagmire and stench. This street, I am led to believe, is under the control of the Government Railway Department, who are in duty bound to conform to the laws of sanitation. Why wait until disease overtakes us before we search for the cause? Better remove the cause. Not only are the present conditions insanitary, but the whole of the surroundings in this locality are unsightly and must give a bad impression to visitors. May I suggest as a remedy and an improvement, a concrete retaining wall about five feet high along the face of the cliff upon which could be erected approved and artistic hoardings, and at the foot of this retaining wall a channel formed and graded so as to drain off all storm water, and thus contribute to sanitary conditions. In the interest of public health I hope this unsatisfactory condition of affairs will be attended to without delay.—l am, etc., VIGILANT Timaru, July 19.