PIGS "HIGH."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17061, 14 August 1917, Page 7

PIGS "HIGH."

FARMERS' ALLEGED NEGLI-

GENCE,

EXTRAORDINARY REVELATIONS

HEALTH OF A FAMILY AFFECT-

ED

BY SEVEN DEAD PIGS

(From our Travelling Reporter.) • A rather extraordinary report wis submitted to the Patea County Council yesterday by the Health Department. Jhe typed document drew the Council's attention to the fact that in one case of infectious disease in the county, the inspector had reported that upon investigating the source of infection, ha had discovered a large accumulation oi old tins,, besides three dead pigs in a paddock, and four carc-ases in the styes. Tile smell throughouttke house' was very bad, and. m short, the Council were asked to do a little "spring cleaning," and adopt certain recommendations as to burning styes, etc. The report naturally provoked some discussion.

The Chairman (Mr G. V. P.earce) said that this was a matter for the Health Inspector. They could not send their engineer to bury dead pigs and fumigate a house. The matter should be referred to the Health Inspector, who should see that the work was done The Clerk pointed out that the Council had its responsibilities in this matter, and any cost in defraying the expense of abating th.c nuisance was a charge on the land. The Chairman said that might be so. At one time th c Health Officer was under the control of the Council, but now matters were different. The Council paid through the Hospital Board, and it was the inspector's duty to see that these nuisances -were abated. That was what he was there for.

In reply to Cr. Gibbs, the Clerk pointed out that for an offence of the kind the "guilty were liable to a fine of £20.

Cr. Gibbs said he was inclined to pursue that course and prosecute.

The Chairman moved that the person concerned be notified that if he did not carry out the recommendations of the Health Department he would be prosecuted; also that the Health Inspector be requested to see that the matters were attended to. and ,if not, to r,eport to the Council.' Cr. Pearce said that an employee of the Council could bury the pigs, but a man who was not expert in the business could not efficiently cleanse and fumigate the house.

The Clerk pointed put that the onus rested on the Council.

Cr. Greeger: The pigs will be pretty high when the resolution is carried into effect.

The motion was carried unanimously.