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84
As pointed out by Dr. Addison, there exists a need for some arrangement
to facilitate a wholesome supply of milk for the food of infants who have to be
brought up by hand. In a very large number of cases the want of means of the
parents stands in the way. Doubtless in many instances they would be able to
afford part of the cost, but not the whole. There is, at present no statutory power
enabling the Borough Council to help out of the rates. It might, however,
be managed if a fund were raised for the purpose, the suggestion being an
arrangement with some of the milk vendors in the Borough having premises
conveniently situated for the purpose to supply applicants with milk at a reduced
price on the production of vouchers duly authenticated for the purpose, the
difference to make up the market price of the milk being defrayed out of the fund
mentioned.
With reference to the suggestion as to improving the housing conditions of
the people, the increase in the staff of Sanitary Inspectors has since December
last been the means of enabling a far larger amount of work than before being
carried out with this object, and this will become manifest in due course when
the same is recorded at the end of the current year. There has been a marked
increase in the amount of house to house inspection, each inspector now being
able to give special attention to such streets and courts as appear to require it. It
may also be added that the increase in the sanitary staff is enabling much more
work being done for abating the evils arising from overcrowding, and it may
reasonably be assumed that as time goes on this increase will not be without its
effect in helping to reduce the infantile mortality of the Borough.
As regards the sanitary conveniences in the Borough to which Dr. Addison
directs attention, there are, according to information received from the Engineer
in charge of them, some thirty-five, of which five are specially constructed below
the surface of the ground. The latter are fitted with lavatory accommodation and
provide conveniences for both men and women.
Your Committee may be reminded that for six months free accommodation
was provided for both sexes at the underground conveniences, and at the meeting
of the Council on July 1st it was decided to continue to do so, the results so far
being reported on satisfactorily.
It is also to be mentioned that there are in addition five urinals attached to
public houses accessible from the street which have been enlarged and are now
lighted and maintained by the Council, being to all intents and purposes public
urinals. While it may be possible that increased accommodation would be
beneficial in the neighbourhood of some of the public houses, still, taken as a
whole, the Borough may be sta.ed to be fairly well supplied with public sanitary
conveniences,
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
LEWIS T. FRASER BRYETT,
Medical Officer of Health.