Sanitary inspector closes shops

The sanitary inspector’s closure of several Blenheim shops causes a ruckus, this week 120 years ago, as we take a flick through the archives. From the Marlborough Express, April 9, 1904:

A letter was received by the Borough Council last night from a property owner protesting against the demands of the Public Health Department in respect to certain condemned buildings.

He contended that the Sanitary Inspector had exceeded his duty in ordering shops in Grove Road to be pulled down, as the Inspector himself had admitted that the buildings were not absolutely dangerous to the public health.

He trusted the Councillors would use their own judgment in dealing with cases of this kind, and not bow down and worship the Sanitary Inspector who had been turned loose by the Government in our little town armed with an Act of Parliament empowering him to order people to do all sorts of things without regard to the cost.

If the Government desired to improve the appearance of the streets of Blenheim let them commence on their own building, known as the Blenheim railway station.

If they also desired to improve the sanitary condition of the town, let them look to the drain in High Street connected to the Government Buildings.

How many times had the Council called upon the Government to fill up railway pits and had their order treated with contempt?

The letter was referred to the Sanitary Committee.

ALSO IN THE NEWSPAPER

Mr and Mrs D. Byford, senr., of Park Terrace, and very old residents of Blenheim, celebrated their golden wedding yesterday. A large number of invited friends, old and young, assembled at their home last evening to wish them continued long life, health and happiness. The wedding cake was a feature of the occasion, and, in addition thereto, an ample spread was enjoyed by the guests at the hands of the host and hostess. The presents were numerous, including several sovereigns symbols of the happy event.

The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night ... The Inspector reported that the principal expenditure for flood repairs was in the cartage of gravel to cover deposits of mud in Grove Road on the footpaths, the cost being £18 5s. A further eight days’ cartage was required. Slight damages at the Alfred Street bridge had been repaired at a cost of £2 7s.

The Mayor’s “salary” to recoup out of-pocket expenses for the past year was fixed at £70. Reference was made to the onerous nature of the Mayor’s duties during the year, and the personal expense involved, and a tribute was paid to Mr Macey for his close application. It was resolved that a telephone installation be granted to Mayors in the future.

CORRECTION:

Peter Jerram is 76, not 86 years old as reported in last weekend’s Weekend Express story Remembering the Wahine: Author’s scariest story is his night on doomed ferry”

In 1904, the Marlborough Express was published every evening.