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13
Our experience in dealing with houses let in lodgings by means of
bye-laws is entirely favourable, and on the whole a marked improvement
is manifested in this class of house.
The total number of complaints received during the year was 214,
against 222 for 189fi.
The number of applications to examine the drainage of private
houses was 154. I may allude to the fact that a great deal of the
Divisional Inspectors' time is taken up in overseeing the actual construction
of drains called for by the Public Health Department. To
attend upon the convenience of the Contractors who are laying drains,
altering closets, or carrying out other sanitary improvements in their
several districts, for the purpose of applying the water-test, must necessarily
rather interfere with systematic work.
The Public Health Committee has decided that no drain is, for the
future, to be tested on the application of a private individual unless the
applicant will open the ground where necessary, so that the water-test
can be applied. The Sanitary Inspectors inspect the drain work ordered
by the Department, and this portion of their work is entirely apart
from that carried out guilder the Inspeotor for new properties, who is
under the supervision of the Surveyor.
The total number of orders made for sanitary amendments was
1,537, but it was only necessary to take legal proceedings in 9 instances.
Unsound Food.—A few articles of fruit and fish have been brought
to the Vestry Hall and condemned as unfit for food. The Inspectors
have also visited the streets late on Saturday nights in order to prevent
the sale of stale or unwholesome food. Samples of milk have also
especially been directed to be taken for analysis at all public hospitals
and institutions in the parish, a subject which will be further referred
to in the report of the Public Analyst.
Workshops.—Under the Factory and Workshop Act, 1895, a
variety of duties is thrown upon the sanitary authority relating to
cleanliness, ventilation, over-crowding, lime-washing, warming, and
keeping the drains, closets, &c., of workshops, free from nuisance. We