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13 September 1923
THE RUBBISH DEPOT.
Pursuant to notice Ald. Farthing moved. - That the council take steps to procure a new site for its rubbish depot, other than Flirtation Hill, and that as soon as possible the old depot be cleaned up, and the depositing of rubbish discontinued.
The rubbish depot had been a burning question, declared Ald. Parsons, long before he entered the council. If only tins and solid rubbish were put there, things would not be so bad. But as it was at present, the depot was unsightly and unhealthy.
Ald. Robinson: I'm glad you're getting tickled up a bit (Laughter). I've been getting all the slops.
Ald. Parsons stated that he had no new site to suggest. Ald. Cohen had suggested that an excavation could be made, and the tins flattened out. There were many complaints about the stench in summer, and the depot was a breeding ground for fruit pests. Growers stated that it caused them much loss and inconvenience.
The motion was seconded by Ald. Farthing, who stated that Flirtation Hill was the last place that should have been used as a rubbish tip. All the filth was taken to the top side of the town. In summer time the rubbish was fired, and the smoke flew all over Mudgee South. The stench was worse than the smells from a slaughter house.
Ald. Robinson: It isn't worse than the gutters.
Ald. Colless didn't mind tins. But he drew the line at refuse from the skin stores. He was there for a clean Mudgee every time. He never shirked his duty. Rotten fruit was dumped in the depot, and the Council was breeding codlim moths for other people. The rubbish should be buried or burnt. People wouldn't sit on the hill - or flirt - because of the dreadful, malodorous depot. Slops from the pubs had been put there until recently. The site was one of the best in Mudgee, and afforded a beautiful view of the town.
Ald. Robinson couldn't let such an important matter pass without comment. He was sympathy from his boots upwards. And he had no idea that the depot had been such a nuisance. He was surprised. But there was one redeeming feature. The slops didn't go up there. They all came near him. (Laughter). That's why he was in sympathy with Ald. Colless. In fact, the worse the smell, the more Ald. Robinson chuckled. He was glad that other aldermen got their share of the nuisance. It made them realise that 'Robbo' was on the right track (Laughter).
Ald. Knight knew there was not an unsympathetic alderman present. The present system was wrong altogether. The proper way was to have a pit, and either burn or bury the rubbish. It didn't matter what spot they removed the rubbish to if the present system was continued. There would always be filth and a nuisance. The best method was to provide a receptacle and burn the rubbish.
The motion was carried1
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17 July 1924
MORE ABOUT FLIRTATION HILL TIP.
FLIRTATION HILL TIP
Ald. Colless moved that the minutes appearing on the council's book giving permission to dump and deposit decayed rubbish on Mudgee park rubbish tip be rescinded, Ald. Parsons seconded.
In speaking to his motion Ald. Colless stated that if the tip had been in the same condition when he visited it over a fortnight ago as it was the previous day, he would not have moved this motion. He referred again to the 'warm' smell that came from it at times and the dumping of rotten fruit, and dead dogs on the hill. The fruit helped to spread disease to the orchards around.
The Health Officer stated that the trouble was people dumped rubbish inside the gate and left it there.
In answer to a question the deputy clerk said he could find no resolution on the books permitting rubbish to be placed there.
Ald. Colless complained that it made him look like a fool moving a motion on something that was not there. Why were they told it was on the books?
The Deputy Clerk, replied that Mr. Stapleton who made the statement, and said that Mr. Colless moved it.
Ald. Colless replied that there was no such motion in his name.
Mr. Stapleton said that Ald. Colless had moved that rubbish be brought up to a tip on Flirtation Hill, and burned.
Ald. Colless: Oh! This is a different thing.
The Mayor referred to the visit of an officer from the Board of Health. He visited the Flirtation Hill tip, and said the site was ideal. One would have thought; to hear some of them talking, that it was right near the town, instead of a mile and a half away from the hill. The officer kicked up some dirt, and saw some of Ald. Colless' 'friends' but he said it was only natural to expect maggots, to use plain language in such places. This was not actually unhealthy; they would only breed flies; not spread disease. If the rubbish was burned as was directed it would be alright. The council got no help from people who placed rubbish there. They were too lazy to put a match to it.
Ald. Colless said the inspector was aware that dead dogs were dumped there. He (Ald. Colless) gave instructions for seven to be buried the morning he was there.
Ald. Saunders considered they were better off than for many years in the matter of cleanliness and health.
Ald. Parsons said he lived near the tip, and had seen it in a state.
As there appeared to be no resolution to rescind Ald. Colless withdrew his motion, stating that he would move another one about the next meeting2
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4 August 1924
Health Matters in Mudgee
RUBBISH TIP TROUBLES.
ROUND OF INSPECTION WITH MAYOR MARSH.
Health matters loomed large at last meeting of the Mudgee Council. Aldermen were more sorely troubled over the situation of the rubbish tip than anything else. Ald. Parsons moved a motion to have it taken from the back of Flirtation Hill and made to fill up a creek that was formed in the gulley nearby. There was such a marked difference of opinion on the matter that Ald. Parsons allowed his proposal to stand over for another meeting.
Since then our representative made an inspection of the council's two tips in company with the Mayor. The one at Flirtation Hill is not, in his opinion, badly located but it is an eyesore from the hill, and would have been better placed in a creek in the first place. But its situation was the least important feature. Its condition was far from satisfactory. Little clumps of decaying vegetables such as onions, pumpkins, melons, etc., were left to rot. Some of these, to, were quite sound and should never have been thrown out. Everything of that nature should be properly buried. The Council will have to make it obligatory on those who dump such rubbish to bury it. It cannot be left on the surface to create a nuisance and possibly breed disease.
The trouble in regard to removing the tip is the cos. Before aldermen commit themselves to this course they will need to know that the expense will be small, and this does not appear likely. In that case the creation of an additional tip can scarcely be justified. Apart from the vegetable matter, which can be buried, all that can be said against it is that it is unsightly.
The Council has another tip, and it might be well if it concentrated on this. It lies at the back of the police station, and is being made to fill up a huge wash out in an old creek. It will take years to fill in but in filling it the Council is doing a good work. Ald. Saunders had this tip created. His idea was to get rid of the mosquito pest by filling in the pools that bred then, and the Mayor says the plan has produced results already. But it must be kept free of defilement. No dead dogs or diseased matter of any kind such as Ald. Colless saw at the other place, must be placed there, or any place else, so far as that goes, except under the ground3
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