“SANITATION CONTINUED.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2622, 2 October 1909, Page 2

“SANITATION CONTINUED.”

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Some days ago a letter appeared in your paper from Mr T. E. Toneycliffe and later another signed “Citizen” re sanitation. I am pleased to note that some people in Gisborne pay heed to sanitary matters. I have reported a case to the sanitary inspector, over a month ago, and so far, although the warm weather is fast approaching, no notice has been taken. The trouble is that in the yard next to us a building (dignified by the name of stable) is on the higher side of the yard. The manure, etc., lies in and around this structure (bringing innumerable flies) and when rain sets in the water of course runs to the lower side of the yard, where it lies in a stagnant pool for weeks at a time when a thick green scum forms on the surface. AVlien one of the horses treads through, and stirs it up the stench can he better imagined than described. In this fever-bed there is also an accumulation of old tins, iron, etc., which—to judge by the appearance of them—have been there undisturbed for years. Now, we are most careful as regards the water from bathroom, sink, and wasli house in vessels and scattering it on the garden, where the soil is loose and quickly absorbs it, but of what use is this, or any precaution, when this nuisance from the next yard trickles through the fence and lies at our very back door. My object in writing this letter is to inquire to whom to appeal to get rid of this pestilence before the summer sets in. In other towns where 1 have lived the Borough Council attends to such matters. At the present time there are four horses in this yard (about 40ft square); on a Saturday there have been six. Now, this exists nglit in the heart ot the town, although it is a well known fact that stables bring flies about, and it has been proved that Hies carry fever germs and this is allowed in Gisborne, where there is so much fever, many cases of which have proved fatal.—f am, etc., ‘A RESIDENT OF DERBY STREET.’