CONDITION OF GREYMOUTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 January 1905, Page 4

CONDITION OF GREYMOUTH

The following report was read at last night's meeting of the. Borough Council, and held over for consideration pending the return of Dr Valentine: HOTELS, "ft is satisfactory to note that with few exceptions the sanitary condition of the hotels is good. Where necessary. proprietors should he requisitioned to effect improvements in the terms of the Inspector's report, particularly with re gard-to the trapping and ventilation >f drains, and providing bedrooms with movable window sashes with a view to secure fair means Of ventilation. MEAT SHOPS. "It is pleasing to note that without exception the moat shops are cleanly kept. It is true that in some places gully Traps j are inside the building, where food . is I prepared. This should not be allowed. |

FRUIT SHOPS. '•The fruit shops are" all satisfactory. BOARDINGHOUSES AND REFRESH

MENT ROOMS. "With few exceptions, the sanitary condition of the above, is satisfactory. Here, again, owners should be requisitioned io the terms of the Inspector's recommendations. „„.»»««•, GREYMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL. "I am writing to the Education Board on the condition of this school where con sidenable improvements are necessary.

BAKEHOUSES. '■Some improvement is evident m these places since my visit last October. I have requisitioned some of the proprietors to effect cerain improvements in Ihe terms of the Inspector's report. DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS. "From the Inspector's report, it would appear that the number of dilapidated buildings is altogether out of proportion to the size of the town. This, I am enabled lo sav from personal experience is onlv too true, for the purposes o this report. I have divided insanitary blllldiin's into three classes:(A). Those where there is no alternative but demolition, and which I will condemn on my next visit to your Borough (his mouth.

(II) Those where certain repairs are necessary to render them fit for human habitation. Please serve the recommen dations on the owners in accordance with the Inspector's report for those. (('). Those on the border line between \ and I>, where action may be deferred mail my next visit to Greymouth, when i will be decided whether total abolition or extensive repairs be demanded. "The letters denoting the classes have been a Mixed to the Inspector's report upon the buildings, "The housing onestion seems an acute one, and I should like to discuss it with voiir Council when next in Greymouth. The effect of wholesale demolition might have the effect of causing temporary hardship to poorer classes, who might be compelled to seek other, though better, premises at an increased rental. From the rents paid for some of these dilapidated buildings, it would appear (hat a scarcity f cottages exists in Oreymnnili and tlie Inspector's suggestion that vonr Council should build a few model cottages might be favourably considered. There is nodoubt that such an undertaking would be of considerable benefit to iome of the poorer householders, and by no means an unremunerative one to your Council. CHINESE. "The condition of the Chinese houses calls tor strong comment. Over crowded, filthy in their habits, these people are a nuisance and a source of danger to the public. But in taking any drastic action I hat. may be considered necessary, care must also be taken not to do injustice to /nose who conform to the habits of the cleanly European. I have always considered that in every town special quarters should be allotted to the _ celestial, where Ihe occupants and sanitary arrangements should be under regular supervision and means thereby taken to prevent overcrowding, tilth and other vices, which endanger the health of the community at large.

"I would also call (he ntention of vour Council to the Inspector's remarks as to night soil and rubbish removal. Where possible, all houses should be connected with the sewer. Your Council has full power to insist on tins under section 274 of the .Municipal Corporations Act. Tn der section 59 of the "Public Health Act 1900,'' your Council has full power to acquire land for the purposes of a rubbish depot. "This, I strongly advise, be done without delay. POULTRY. "By-laws are badly required with regard to the keeping of poultry in the town, and I would suggest that no poultry house or yard be allowed within 30 feet of a dwelling, 12 feet, from a street, and six feet from any adjoining premises. A similar by-law i,s in force in most towns of the colony, certainly in those approaching the size of Groymouh. SEWERAGE. "Vour Council should endeavour 'n cause all sewerage to be discharged into the river, instead of, as mentioned by (he Inspector, allowing some of it to be discharged into rroj'ks and oil to Haddocks. The latter should lie reserved for the disposal of storm water. f believe there are no engineering difficulties that render it impracticable to dispose of (he sewerage in Ibis way, but of course that is a matter for your engineer, and I would suggest that, officer be requested to proceed on these lines where possible. ".I hope to be in Greymouth in the early part of the year, and hope, to have an opportunity of discussing this and othor^matters with your Council at creator length."