Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-09-28
MOSQUITO War
PROGRESSING
Staten Island Aiding New Jersey
in DitChing Work Newark
Board Reports.


NEWARK, Sept. 2S.-Election OF
officers and hearing of reports on
progress occupied the attention OF the
general committee on mosquito en-
termination at the rooms OF the
Board of Health, "Wednesday night.
DR.. Frederick w. Becker, of this city,
presided, and the others present IN
cluded DR.. Theodore N. Gray, East
Orange; Louis J.. Richards, Eliza
beth; A. B. Tucker, Rutherford; Dr.
T. N. Mclaughlin, Jersey City; DR..
James s.. Exton, Arlington, and David
d. Chandler and John w. Dobbins,
of the Newark Board of Health.
1t was reported that there was
practically no breeding on the New
ark meadows this year along the
courses hal have been ditched, eX-
cept at the Ebeling tract, where there
has been a small area that was a
breeding spot. This, it was said, was
due to the fact that there was a sew
er overflow in that locality, which the
local Board of Works had agreed
long ago to eradicate by the erection
of a gate, which agreement, however,
has not been put into effect.
Mr.. Dobbins reported that during
the past summer there had been eX-
tensive breeding just across the west
city line, in Belleville and I%ryington,
notably in the Soho section of Belle
vile. He said that the greater part
of the annoying flights Of the sum
mer, particularly that of August, was
traceable to the neglected spots in
these localities. The committee de-
cided to take action toward securing
a betterment of the conditions at
once, and passed a resolution calling
upon the health authorities of the
municipalities to do all in their pow
er to have the breeding spots wiped
out, and if possible to have the work
done this year.
Mr.. Richards, who is health officer
of Elizabeth, reported that he had
brought several suits in his city
against residents who maintained
breeding spots on their property. He
had taken the action in each instance
under the Dufield act, which had
been passed at the instance Of this
committee to serve the very purpose.
He stated that he had secured a con-
viction in every instance.
1t was announced that the work
being done by the New York authori-
ties on Staten Island in ditching the
meadow sections for drainage in or
der to eradicate the breeding spots,
in the same manner as the work is
being done in New Jersey, has been
going along .expeditiously, and with
success. The bitches have been laid
around the island to a point opposite
Amboy, and it is expected that the
entire job will have been accomplish
ed before winter sets in. Residents of
the localities adjacent to the Staten
Island meadows, who have suffered
most in past years from the mosquito
pest, reported that since the ditching
work has been inaugurated there has
been a marked lessening of the an
noyance.
The annual election of officers re-
suited as follows, all being chosen
unanimously: President, DR.. Thomas
N. Gray, East Orange; vice president,
Spencer Miller, South Orange; secre-
tary and treasurer, Louis Richards,
Elizabeth. These committees were
named: Executive, Professor John B.
Smith, Mr.. Chandler, DR.. Thompson:
good and welfare, Mr.. Tucker, DR..
Exton, and Mr.. Dobbins; legislation,
Mr.. Miller, DR.. Becker and DR.. Mac