Health Matters.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 385, 9 April 1902, Page 3

Health Matters.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir, —Being a stranger in Gisborne, with an idea of becoming a resident, I would like some one acquainted with your town to answer this question through the medium of your paper: Are business people and others supposed to keep their premises in a state of cleanliness, or is it the general thing to allow them the privilege of keeping their yards, etc., littered up with all kinds of rubbish, which must in time become a breeding-place for all kinds of disease ? I do not knew whether you have any typhoid fever in your midst, but would not be at all surprised at hearing such is the case. In my opinion any citizen keeping his backyards, etc., in a healthy state is not doing it for his own personal good, but for the good also of his fellow citizens, and the public generally, and to compensate those doing so, others should be compelled to act likewise, where necessary. Probably plague in Sydney found its origin in filth and dirt, which has been moved when the mischief is done. People are apt to say, “ You sing out before you are hurt.” I think it little use singing out after you are hurt. lam sorry to say that the roof of a certain business place in Gisborne is a disgrace to any town, the guttering, etc., being a mass of dirt and filth, comprising old rags, papers, dirty wornout clothes, ends of cigars and cigarettes, fruit-peeling, and even worse. This is duly washed into the tanks, and the water is used, unfortunately, by a great many more than those interested in the said business place. Apologising for trespassing on your valuable space,—l am, etc., M.O.R.