GISBORNE SANITATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2649, 3 November 1909, Page 5

GISBORNE SANITATION.

REPORT OF THE CHIEF HEALTH

OFFICER

(Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. In the annual report of the Public Health Department, presented to Parliament to-day, the Chief Health Officer says in regard to Gisborne: “I repeat the opening remarks which I made in my report for 1908, 'From its situation this borough should be the healthiest in the Dominion, but from its defective sanitary arrangements, or, perhaps, Avant of sanitary arrangements, it suffers more from preventiblc disease than any. other town in my district.’

“Out of 103 cases of enteric and 67 cases of diptheria notified in this district, Gisborne accounts for 41 and 19 respectively, and of the 42 cases notifiea from the remainder of the district, the majority come from the country around Gisborne. I have little hesitation in saying that, had Gisborne been clean, most of the country cases would not have occurred, as most of them Avere contracted in Gisborne. Had it not been for the supply of wholesome water which Gisborne now enjoys, I am of opinion that the epidemic would have been more Avidcly spread. When a poll was taken for obtaining a loan for carrying out Mr. Mestayer’s scheme of drainage in the borough, it was rejected by a majority of the ratepayers. There is another scheme before the Council designed by Mr. Jickell, and a suggestion has been made to obtain, the services of an engineer of repute to examine and report on the merits of the tAVo schemes. It is impossible to predict whether this will be done or not. It is possible that the town will rest on its oars till next summer and autumn bring another epidemic and another scare. I repeat Avliat I stated in iny last annual report. 'lt is risking the health of tlie residents of the town to attempt to carry on in Gisborne much longer Avitli this condition of affairs, and if the installation of drainage is much delayed a reckoning must follow.’ Several of the business pronerties are having septic tanks installed. There is much to recommend this, but it is feared that every owner of a septic tank will . be a probable voter against a municipal drainage scheme.”