“DIRTY GISBORNE.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2446, 10 March 1909, Page 4

“DIRTY GISBORNE.”

We must confess to some satisfaction that the heading to recent articles published in our columns should have wounded the delicate susceptibilities of our City Fathers, who apparently find the term “Dirty Gisborne” ian illsounding one. Our main object in drawing attention to the matters to which we gave publicity was to induce the general public to give some heed to the matter of personal cleanliness and sanitation generally, and 1 likewise that the Borough Council might be persuaded to take a more serious view of its responsibilities. No one is more jealous of the reputation of the town than we are, but there comes a time when plain speaking is necessary, when a spade must bo called a spade, and in our opinion that time has arrived in the municipal history of Gisborne. There are certain facts which cannot be ignored, and with 28 patients lying in the public hospital from typhoid fever it Is no time for hiding behind smooth phrases and empty compliments the true position. Judged by the ordinary methods of comparison, Gisborne must be looked upon as a dirty town. Very few oT the business premises or private residences have any drainage, the bulk of the houses have no baths, the use of anti-septics is almost unknown, a large proportion of the population lives on the edge of rivers, from the mud flats of which issues a fearful stench during the greater part of the 24 hours, the system of disposing of nightsoil is the filthiest that can be imagined, and yet we are chided for .stating that Gisborne is dirty. There are. we are glad to know, a number of residents who look upon cleanliness as next to godliness and who exercise the utmost care to keep their houses and yards absolutely Tree from smell, but the mass of the population have no idea of sanitation, and the fact can be made quickly apparent to anyone who will take trouble to make a personal investigation. Unfortunately, the Borough Council, as the local Board of Health, has set a wretched example to' the community, for its conduct of such public services as street cleaning and the discharge of nightsoil has been exceedingly remiss. It is very evident that some radical steps must be taken if the health of tho community is to he conserved, and tho visit to-day of Dr. Mason may provide some suggestions thatthe Council can promptly adopt. The Chief Health Officer is one of the ablest of Government officials in the Dominion, and his presence in Gisborne at the present time should prove exceedingly opportune. AYe should he very sorry to merit the displeasure of ’ our friends the Borough Councillors, but if we can induce them, and also the public as a whole to take up a crusade on behalf of cleanliness and health., we shall be amply repaid for having discharged a. distinctly disagreeable task.