CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2446, 10 March 1909, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is -welcomed at all times, but* it must be distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents.] DIRTY GISBORNE. [To the Editor.] Sir, —In this morning’s, issue you publish an article headed as above, in which you give us -all a good “round of tho kitchen,” and if this town is nearly as bad as you have pictured it, then a drastic remedy is 'absolutely necessary. Now, Sir, where does the fault lay. and who are the most to blame? Why, the- Gisborne Borough Council, most certainly, and I will tell you how. First, they get a not-ice-board painted and written on to the effect that anyone crossing this bridge in a vehicle of any sort will not do so other -than at a walking pace. Now, it is needless to say that such a notice is only treated with contempt. Then there is. a. noticeboard at the Turanganni bridge telling people they must not sit on the rails, and' what is the result? Why, it is crowded nightly with a lot of young men and boys, passing remarks concerning tho passers-by, especially females, loud enough to be heard by them. So much for that notice. Now comes another ' notice, this time advertised in the papers in December last, saying that up to the 14tli of January, 1909.. will be the time allotted for householders to procure properly-constructed receptacles for rubbish, and persons not having complied with that notice would be summoned at the S.M. Court without any further notice. AY hat is the result? Proceedings have been instituted against a few of the hotel licensees, and t-o what purpose? One of them actually told us that he was not in the. borough: Now, I maintain that I have proved that it- is the Council itself that is to blame if Gisborne is “dirty,” for what is the use of going to the expense of getting noticeboards written or printed and advertisements circulated in the papers, threatening all kinds of penalties if the instructions are not carried out, and when they are not carried out I still say that the Council have only themselves to blame. Almost as soon as the notice appeared’ your humble servant went straight and bought a receptacle for rubbish, fearing the “strong arm of the law.” I may say that I have at all times complied with the law, for I have always had a tin for the rubbish, but as the Inspector said it would not do, then I got one of the orthodox design; and, further, the Inspector was good enough to pay me the compliment of telling me that if they were all like myself he would not be needed. Sir, if people would only throw away' the water directly it has been used, and not allow it to stand and smell before they do throw it away, a great deal of the unpleasantness would .be avoided, more especially in regard to slop water 'and soap-sucls.—l am, etc., “SANITARY.” [To the Editor.]

Sir, —Seeing that Dr. t Mason is about to pay us a visit, *1 think it might be well to draw his attention to the disgusting state of many urinals and water-closets that arc placed for the convenience of workmen in the town proper as well as to the state of imany drains emptying into the rivers above low-water mark. Apropos, of this; I read an article on typhoid ill your supplement'some days ago re vaccination as a prevention for the. typhoid 1 disease. If our health officer’s attention were drawn to this •article perhaps he would be able to throw more light upon this all-absorb-topic.-—I .am,' etc., “PRO BONO PUBLICO.” [To the Editor,.] Sir,- —The thanks of the community arc due to you, not only in the crusade against the dirty state of the borough, but also in other matters d : g; .;'gydd ;

of like importance, The present outbreak of typhoid is due in .a great measure to the disgusting and careless manner in which the nightsoil is removed. The receptacles are smeared with filth, and frequently it is splashed and distributed in the vicinity of the closets. So as to ensure privacy, some closets are kept locked, and keys supplied to the nightman. These are often lost.i and then the unfortunate householder is in; d-ire straits indeed, for unless he sees personally to it the place remains unemptied. I heard .a tenant pleading to have the man sent round (after many requests), his wife and family being compelled to ask tbe favor of being allowed to use their neighbor’s conveniences. If a complaint is made at the Town Council office, it is merely jotted down on a slate, and the inspector may see it or he may not. There is no record kept of such complaints beyond a mere entry in the inspector’s pocket diary. There is a sad lack of proper method and supervision in the whole matter. In fact, the whole borough organisation wants putting on a better footing than at present exists. There is no head to the concern., .and there is not that courtesy to ratepayers which they arc entitled to. —I -am, etc. “CITIZEN OF 25 YEARS’ STANDING.” P.B.R. CLUB. [To the Editor.] Sir, —I wish to draw attention to what I call the unsportsmanlike action of the committee of the above club in awarding the race for the President’s Cup to Lowe’s crew. For the sake of encouraging this healthy pastime, and as the club is purely amateur, tbe committee might have waited a while and given the sick member of Stuart’s four a chance to recover and compete in the final as suggested by Air. Stuart and several (members. Thanking you in anticipation,—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY. THE BREAD FUND. [To the Editor.] Sir, —AVhile recognising the good principle in Air. Grant’s sympathy with the starving poor of Britain, can he explain to you why he collects (or encourages the collection) of money to be sent to England when England lias just now, by the Lord Alayor’s fund, sent, or is sending, £134,000 to Italy, a foreign people. The principle of Air. Grant we must admit is excellent, but where is the consistency. Charity begins at home. I am. etc., PRO PATRIA.