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19
to cleanse the cistern if he should so desire, but, unfortunately,
this precaution is often neglected.
Cisterns have been found to become the last resting place of
mice, birds, etc., and these decomposing, cannot possibly benefit
the persons using the water.
The best remedy for these evil conditions would be for every
house to be provided with a draw-off tap direct from the rising
main for drinking purposes. This cannot be done, as the Water
Companies supplying the district do not give a constant service.
New regulations deposited by them with the Board of Trade for
approval, however, require that "every cistern used in connection
with the water supplied by the Company, shall be made, and
at all times maintained water tight, and be properly covered with
a close fitting lid, and placed in such a position that it may be
readily inspected and cleansed." If approved, this regulation
should prevent in the future the evil conditions mentioned above.
Overcrowding.
Four overcrowding nuisances were abated without the aid of
legal proceedings.
The bye-laws mentioned in my last report had not, at the
close of the year, received approval by the Local Government
Board.
Dairies,
Cowsheds
and
Milk shops.
The Dairies, Cowsheds and Milk shops have been inspected
quarterly during the year, as well as at odd periods, and generally
found in a fair condition.
There are now 45 persons registered as dairymen and purveyors
of milk, and 5 as cow keepers.
During the year the number of cowsheds have been reduced
by 5, one, a splendid brick building with drainage and ventilation of
the best, has been demolished owing to the part of the district in
which it is situated being developed as a building estate. Another
was closed on account of the proprietors having purchased an
estate outside this district in which cowsheds have been erected.
Two others, which were old wooden structures and in a