DIRTY GISBORNE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2446, 10 March 1909, Page 3

DIRTY GISBORNE.

DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL. -At the meeting of the Borough Council last evening, Cr. Whinrav asid he was sorry to sec the press had made a, noise on the insanitary condition of the town, and had printed articles under the hold headlines of “Dirty Gisborne.” He held that the term was not justified, _ and he much regretted that the articles had seen .print. He denied that Gladstone Road was a dirty place. Ho held that stable manure was rather more beneficial than otherwise, and a return prepared showed that the number of cases of fever so far reported was not so large as in past years. ' Cr. Williams said the amount of typhoid in the district was a very serious matter, and could not be lightly passed over. It was a. good thing that the question had been placed before the public, and he agreed that Gisborne was a dirty town. It was unpleasant to saj r “Dirty Gisborne.” hut the term was justified, and he would say the town was in a dirty condition, and Gladstone Road was a dirty street, as compared with other towns and other streets he had been in. Personally he. thought the Council owed a debt to the press for having brought the question before the people. He was sorry to have to speak in such a way, but would not like the condition of the town to be known outside. There had been 1 cases of typhoid in two months, as against 14 for the whole of last year. Cr. Pettie said he only deprecated the large headlines “Dirty Gisborne,” as ho thought no good would come from such headlines; but lie agreed with every word Cr. Williams had said. There was a great deal the Council could do to improve the state of the town, and it was for the Council to take some action. Cr. 'Sheridan said lie agreed with Cr. Williams. The position was o serious one, an undesirable one, and one the Council would have to face. Cr. Whinray added that the bold epitaph “Dirty Gisborne” was unwarranted, and he regretted the fact that the large headlines had been printed. Later on, Cr. Williams added that the expressions of the Council showed that his (Cr. Williams’) remarks were justified. The following return of eases of typhoid in the Borough was laid on the table :

1909, for two months and mine days, 28: 1908, full year, 14; 1907, 16; 1906, 19; 1905, 10; 1904, 9; 1903, 18; 1802, 16; 1901, 47; 1900, 21 ; 1899. 28; 1898. 71; 1897, 18; 1896, 27; 1895, 14; 1894, 33; 1893, 5.