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108
during the five weeks. At the other extreme, 2.48 inches were
recorded during the second week of November, the total rainfall
for that and the two immediately preceding weeks being
5.98 inches, representing more than one fourth of the total rainfall
of the year during those three weeks During that period the
rainfall was of a more or less steady and continuous character,
and therefore not productive of such evil effects as was produced
by the sudden rainfall on the 6th September, when nearly 7/10 of
an inch fell in about twenty minutes, causing serious flooding.
Further particulars of the weekly rainfall will be found upon
reference to the chart.
SANITARY LEGISLATION, 1899.
The following were the principal Acts directly concerning
Public Health which were passed during the year 1899:—
(1) Metropolis Water Act, 1899 (62 Vic. c. 7.)
(2) Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899 (62 and 63 Vic.
cap. 51.)
(3) Metropolis Management Acts Amendment (Bye-
laws) Act, 1899 (62 and 63 Vic. c. 15.)
(4) Infectious Disease (Notification) Extension Act,
1899 (62 and 63 Vic. c. 8.)
Metropolis Water Act, 1899. This Act enables and requires
the Metropolitan Water Companies in cases of emergency to
supply each other with water and contains all the necessary
provisions for securing the construction of works for this purpose.
The Local Government Board is vested with powers of control.
It is provided that whenever in the opinion of the Local
Government Board a case of emergency has arisen or is likely
to arise it shall be the duty of any Metropolitan Company to
supply at reasonable cost such water as may be required for
the need of another company, and may be available after