112

gest that the southern side of the river should be
embanked from Collingwood bridge to Auckland
Point, in a curved line—the object of the curve being
to cause the water to preserve a deep channel next
the wall by constantly impinging on it.

Also, that a road should be formed along the edge
of the bank, say one third of a chain wide to com-
mence with.

The line of the present sewer could then be pro-
longed at an angle to its present course, striking and
passing through the curved wall some fifteen chains
further on. This would be a step towards reclaiming
the land between the wall and the town sections,
about twenty acres in extent. The cost of this work
might be about £7000; but it does not appear to be
really necessary in the present state of the question.
The present channel beyond the outfall, should be,
however, carefully and regularly cleared out.

4.—The Depots hereafter to be formed for the
reception of the deodorized contents of privies, and
other materials collected by the Scavenging cart, may
possibly, even with the best management, and the
greatest care, become to a certain degree a nuisance.
I would throw out a suggestion whether such Depots
might not be enclosed by walls, and roofed over and
be provided with a tall ventilating shaft or chimney
to carry off the elluvia—the draught in this might be
improved by having a small fire kept burning, with
a flue leading into the shaft, on the principle of
colliery ventilation.

5.—The discharge of all sewage, both liquid and
solid matter, say at the Arrow Rock, has been pro-
posed. On economical and financial grounds this is
objectionable, and to ensure the proper action of such
a scheme, an artificial fall would be required. To
secure this the use of engine power would be necessary,
and the erection of a reservoir to store the sewage
during the flow of the tide.

Such an arrangement would probably cost £12,000.

The cost of an ordinary sewer, some including
necessary alterations in the Haven-road, without
reservoir or pumping apparatus, would probably
amount to £9000.

JOHN BLACKETT,
Provincial Engineer.

Nelson, June, 1867.

LETTERS BY MEDICAL MEN, &c.
Hardy-street, Nelson,
May 17th, 1867.

DEAR SIR,—I beg to reply to the letter which you,
as Honorary Secretary to the Committee of Enquiry
into the Drainage of Nelson, have addressed to me,
desiring to have my opinion as to whether the health
of the town is injuriously affected by the present
sewers, and also to offer suggestions as to the present
state of the drainage, and the sewerage for the future.

1. I am not sufficiently informed of the mode in
   which the sewers have been constructed, or are in
   course of construction; but unless they be so con-
   trived as to prevent the communication of emanations
   from them, they must be injurious.

2. Again, if drainage from the sewers have access
   to the wells, they who drink of that water will assu-
   redly imbibe a mephitic beverage.

I have the honor to be,
Dear Sir,
Your very obedient servant,
C. E. COTTERELL, M.R.C.S.L.

To C. HUNTER BROWN, Esq.,
Honorary Secretary to the Committee of En-
quiry into the Drainage of Nelson.

Nelson, 20th May, 1867.

DEAR SIR,—In reply to your favor of the 13th,
instant, I beg to say that in my opinion the drainage
of Nelson, at present carried out, whereby the
sewerage is spread over the mud-flat and gives rise to
offensive emanations, is certainly calculated to exercise
an injurious influence on the health of the town,
especially of the contiguous parts of it.

As you have intimated a desire on the part of the
Commission to receive any suggestions I may have to
offer, which have a bearing on the subject when they
are directed to report upon, I will submit a few, pre-
facing them by the remark that, not having under-
sanitary legislation a special subject of study, I do not
presume to speak ex cathedra, but only to contribute
a few thoughts which you will simply estimate at what,
on consideration, they may seem to be worth. In the
following suggestions I have kept in view what I con-
ceive to be the chief difficulty in dealing with the
subject, which is not to decide on what is in the
abstract the most complete and perfect method of
rendering the excretions of men and beasts innocuous
to health; but to discover for the guidance of the
authorities, which plan is most practicable, having
due regard to the necessity of consulting economy, the
habits and wishes of the population, and not losing
sight of the indispendable requirement of framing such
a measure as will stand a fair chance, by avoiding too
great stringency, of passing the Provincial Council.

1. Drainage is so vast a benefit, even when carried
   out with imperfect arrangements; is so great an
   advance on the pre-existing system of every household
   getting rid of their filth in a hap-hazard manner, and
   has affected in so many instances at home a total
   change in the death-rate, that I hope the Committee
   will urge on the Government the necessity of extending
   the system to all densely populated parts of Nelson.
   Reserving for the moment the question as to whether
   the solid excrete should be suffered to enter the
   enter into putrefactive decomposition. It seems
   system of earth-closets that the most complete
   the purpose of conveying away the liquids which are
   thrown out daily from every house, much of which
   contain vegetable and mineral matters, which soon
   phere which continues longer than it need do after
   rain from the wet soil around houses is certainly
   promotive of rheumatism and other complaints.

2. So important do I consider it that such thickly-
   peopled localities as Lower Bridge-street, Collingwood-
   street, and the Waimoa Road as far as the College,
   should be supplied with sewers without unnecessary
   delay, that I think the Government could not do
   better than facilitate the extension, by offering the
   districts a portion of the Provincial balance or loan at
   say, 5 per cent. for a term of years, as the facility of
   raising money hasten the construction of sewers
   by several years.

3. If no better plan can be devised of getting rid of
   the contents of the mud-flat than letting them
   deluge the Mud-flat at all hours, with an increasing
   stream of offensive and deliterious matters, I should
   certainly advise a prohibition of cess-pools, &c., being
   connected with the sewers; but it appears to me that
   a very simple arrangement might be carried out, by
   which not only the evil at present complained of
   might be got rid of, but all the solid excrement and
   urine from closets might safely be permitted to be
   carried off by the sewers. I will explain the idea.

4. The ill smells from the mudflat arise of course
   from feces &c., being exposed to sea and air, on the
   wide expanse of the harbor at low water. But if the