The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2041, 28 March 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1907.

1 Tins report of the Borough Engineer jon tho question of sanitation oneo I more brings prominently before tho : public niind tho question whether or not tho ratepayers should go in for a drainage schomo. Since we dealt with that matter some months ago we have taken constant observations with the idea of ascertaining whether or not tho present system could much longer be continued, and the more wo liavc scon tlio moro strongly aro we convinced that it can not, unless the inhabitants are content to run tho risk of serious epidemics. Anyone who knows tho condition of certain localities, and the danger of insanitary conditions, cannot shut their eyes to the grave risks that are being run now in that direction, and tho comments of the engineer in dealing with that part of tlio question were mild indeed. True, ho has condemned the present' system of scavenging, and drawn attention to its defects; but ho might have gone a great deal further and given such an array of facts as would have resulted in tho Council taking some action at oneo to get rid of the dangers that lurk in many back yards and other places that are a menace to the public health. This the Council could havo done without altering the present system, and by merely insisting upon an improvement thereof. That wo havo had typhoid and other diseases in our midst during the., summer months is not at all surprising; indeed it would bo surprising if they had not occurred, and it is somewhat of a testimonial to the majority of the residents in the town to find that we have gone through the hot summer months with so little sickness. But our record in this respect cannot always be relied upon, and when we know that there are places that even with our crude system of scavenging and sanitation might be kept in a very much healthier condition, tho constant danger is with us, and will remain until that system is supplanted by a better one. The Engineer suggests that tho “sealed pan” system might be acceptable, but we can soo nothing to recommend it so long as nil automatic system is available. With a proper water supply, now fortunately within easy reach, the proper concomitant is a. se.wiigo system flushed automatically and pneumatically, and this is what the ratepayers sliouTcT - turn their attention to at mice. In a town of two or three thousand inhabitants it may be posible" to maintain a proper standard of health on present lilies; but for a town of six thousand like Gisborne, to expect that health can be maintained without a drainage system, is to expect what is impossible. Tho “sealed pan” would of course bo an immense improvement upon the present obsolete, highly offensive, and dangerous method of sanitation; but while it would be ail- improvement in one respect it offers no advantage! in tho matter of cost which would naturally increase as population increases, and still get rid of only a j lortion of the offensive matter. A sewage system, on tho other hand, would have the distinct advantage of being complete and perfect, and the increase of population would not materially increase its cost. In fact the cost to tho ratepayers would bo practically the same, except for private connections which of course would have to be borne by tho users themselves. This question of drainage is as important to the Borough as the harbor scheme is to the district, and in view" of the coming elections it would bo well for the ratepayers to know tho views of candidates thereon, for it is a question t lat must be tackled by the new ouncil before very long. In the meantime a great deal can be done without much expense to reduce the oflensiveness and danger of the present system of scavenging by insisting on better supervision, and the use of disinfectants by the nightmen. The work as at ” neef on is simply intolerable, and it is no uncommon thing to find often sive matter splashed about after the men havo done their work. Perhaps they are not tt> blame for that, for there are only three of them, and they cannot get round often enough to prevent overflows. B ut if they are not to blame the system, is, and the sooner it is altered the better, for common decency cannot" permit its continuance much longer.

A mail for Auckland per Squall closes here at-2 p.m. to-day. Tiib Twins will not be published to-morrow (Good Friday), nor on Monday next (Easter Monday).

Nine Southdown rams arrived by the steamer Fanny yesterday morning for Mr. Ci Matthews, of Patutahi. Messrs C. Hansen, R. F. Jackcon, and E. Richardson have been appointed trustees of the Motu public cemetery. Included ill tlio cargo of tlio steamer Victoria were 1383 sleepers for the railway works, and a small shipment of flour from Australia.

Attention is drawn to the altered charges at the cricket carnival at the Domain. All mission remains at one shilling, but ladies are now to be admitted for sixpence, and school boys are free. Tho grandstand is free to all.

On Easter Monday a monster picnic and sports gathering is to bo held on tho Gisborne Racing Club’s grounds. The funds collected will go towards the fountain fund. A very small charge for admission has been fixed, and there should be a large attendance of the public. In the evening a social is to be held in Whinray’s Hall.

At a meeting of the Committee of of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church held last night, Mr. A. T. Hookey was unanimously elected organist and choirmaster. Mr. Hookey for some time conducted the choir at the Devenport Presbyterian Church, and the committee feel sure he will use his best endeavors to make the musical portion of the service at St. Andrew’s a success.

! Mr. John Boss, Haiti, has a. few heifers ami a Jersey bull for sale. Owing to the Raster holidays, llm pay nights for tho Gisborne Co-opeis-tivo Building Society will be a day Into next woelc. j A public meeting has been convened by Mr. H. J. Rougher for Tuesday to rocoive the committee.s ropoi 1 as to tho proposed ball. !.. Tho partnership of J. A. B. Kurland G. B. Carter has been dissolved. Tlio business will bo carried oil under the old title by Mr. Kerr. I A nntivo named Huiio II aero Kaliuro, aged 39, died at Tologa Bay yesterday through being kicked in , tho abdomen by a packhorse. ~ I A conference between the I feezing Workers’ Union and the employers was bold yesterday alloriioon when tlio hours of work, holidays and some minor matters were mutually agreed to. Tho larger questions were not touched. Tho Union met in tlio evening and formulated an ultimatum on the matter of wages which will ho submitted to the employers this morning. It is not expected that the questions ol wages will bo settled to the puitual satisfaction of tho parties at this mornings’ conference.

Tho local police force scorns' very much handicapped, through being understaffed. On Tuesday "afternoon, during a civil sitting of the Court, Mr. Barton, S.M., remarked oil the fact that there was no constable in

attendance. Uiulorstafling is unsatisfactory at all times, hut it is felt acutely at present, as Sergeant "Williams is ill and will lie off duty lor sonic months. Constable Hancox is on leave for live weeks. It is stated that there are no more police on duy in Gisborne now. than there wore seventeen years ago, and tho population lias quadrupled in tho meantime.