THE Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1882.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1066, 27 March 1882, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1882.

Tbat Reeffcon has so far escaped a fatal, epidemic Jftust be attributed rather to the providence of God than the exertions of its local authorities to avert it. In a smail town of its size throughout the whole Colony, we hardly think that a greater fpsst of dangerous death-dealing nuisances could be found than make themselves offensively apparent here. Leaving outs fpr the present the great sanitary under* takings comprehended in effective drainage, and; ample water supply, we refer to the condition of the cesspools, the accumulations of filth of all kinds, the utter absence of cleanliness in back yards and other places, and, the calm apathy hitherto exhibited by these in whose hands the health of the inhabitants is placed. Walking up Broadway at any time, but more perceptibly during the night time, odours that would rival those of the far-famed Cologne, though certainly on a smaller scale, are to be met with, and that these have not revenged themselves on those permitting them by implanting typhoid fever and other maladies proceeding from the same causes speaks much for the salubrity of the district. In our last issue sad news dame from Napier, telling us that a father and daughter had died from fever, that others of the same family had been attacked, and that there were no less than thirty cases of the same disease in the hospital Very naturally great alarm has been created, and the people there are now starting to provide sanitary precautions that should have been taken long ago. They are locking the stable door when the steed has been stolen, are adopting measures after death has claimed the victims of previous neglect. It is impossible to say how suddenly or without any apparent cause epidemics of the kind arise, and it is quite as impossible to say at what limits they may end. At the same time it is quite within human scope to do all possible to avert and not invite such scourges. In the case of Reefton, nothing whatever has been done ; on the contrary, everything sanitary has been scandalously neglected, and as surely as nature always avenges herself, so will the people of Reefton suffer unexpectedly some day, as the people of the larger town are doing at present. It is not the high or the low to whom diseases arising from offensive exhalations are special. The prince and the peasant suffer alike from their presence, the most splendid drawingroom and the humblest cot are penetrated by them, and victims of all ranks are seized upon alike. It has been fallaciously supposed that the summer season is the only one when danger presents itself. This is a great mistake, the germs of disease are equally generated at the coldest season as at summertide. In Reefton, winter will most probably be the most dangerous timo, for, as all know, when rain falls and the river rises, all the wells rise in proportion. The strata that gives the water is not only saturated itself, but forces the water up nearer the surface, the contents of the cesspools even though shallow, then mingle freely with the water from the wells and, setting aside the disgusting nature of such a mixture, must be calculated, as much as any other known cause, to produce typhoid and other .epidemic diseases of the most deadly, virulent and .contagious nature. Surely the subject is one that the residents should insist on the County Council turning its attention to, and secure prompt sanitary measures being undertaken in the shape of compelling the cleansing of the town forthwith. The Inspector of Nuisances has hitherto j enjoyed a sinecure, let him be corop 'lied to rlo his duty. There being no other "governing body," to use the term of the Act, the County Council is, e$ officio, the local Board of Health, and the powers to enforce sanitary precautions are enormous. The provisions of the Health Act are too long to jive even /hi .abstract of in this issue, but

we would suggest to members of th« Council, especially in the Reef ton Biding, to study them well. This may be well understood when we say it contains 164 clauses, and it provides amply for any emergency, at the same time arming local Boards with every power necessary to carry it out effectually, The Central Board of Health is appointed by the Governor with the Colonial Secretary as its chairman, but with that we have nothing to do. The Gth clause defines what " Local Boards " mean, as follows : — " Local Board shall mean the local Boards of Health constituted under this Act, and shall include the City or Borough Council, Town Boaid, Board of Wardens, or Commissioners, or other like body, however denominated, of every city, town, and borough, and the Council, Road Board, Board of Wardens, Com missioners, or Trustees, &c., &c." There is no question as to the interpretation, and it remains to be seen if the Councillors will take the necessary action.