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useless to the Council, and therefore well out of the way. The complaints of
non-removal of dust were few, and in every instance investigated. As I have
before remarked, the work cannot be thoroughly supervised unless a dustforeman
be appointed to follow the dust rounds of the district, there being
so many difficulties to overcome. In many instances the occupiers are out
at times of call, while for others the time is inconvenient.
In the hot weather I noticed numbers of house flies clinging to the dust
vans when leaving the dust shoot. I tried various remedies, and eventually
found that spraying the dust vans with a solution of chlorinated water had
the desired effect, and disinfecting the dust vans on their return journey.
Number of dust-bins supplied during the year—129.
COLLECTION OF FISH OFFAL.
The collection of this offal continues to be much appreciated by the
fish dealers, and the advantage gained by minimising the nuisance inseparable
from such a business justifies the Council's action in continuing the
collecting of the same, although the price charged for the use of the Council's
air-tight receptacles and the collection does not cover the cost. Much
time is also taken up in supervising the collection of pails, the disposal of
offal, and the collection of money. This offal is still dealt with on the Council's
Sewage Farm, being buried after first being treated with lime. Should
the Council at any time build a Destructor, a proper incinerating chamber
attached thereto would do away with the necessity for the burying process
and expedite the work of cleansing the pails. As I have before reported,
in some districts the fish offal is collected by private firms, who utilise the
offal in the manufacture of artificial manure, charging the fishmongers according
to the quantity of offal removed. I have been endeavouring to
bring about a similar arrangement, but the distance from the factory and the
fluctuations in the quantity of the offal collected, would not pay a contractor
at present; still, I am hoping in the near future that some such arrangement
will be possible. During the year there were 33 fishmongers on the register,
but six have ceased to carry on the business.
The number of pails dealt with was 3,182, and the amount of money
collected—at 4d. per pail—£36 6s. 0d.
SLAUGHTER-HOUSES.
The number of slaughter-houses on the register remains the same as
last year, viz., six, four being licensed under the Public Health Amendment
Act, 1890, the other two having been used as slaughter - houses (registered)
for a great number of years. Two are of modern construction; two are,
considering the age of the premises, good; and two are fairly good; but the
access to one of those registered is bad. They are all regularly inspected and
kept in a cleanly condition. Many repairs have been effected during the
year, the occupiers being generally willing to comply with any reasonable
request.