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20
THE SURFACE OF THE DISTRICT.
The condition of some of the roads and gutters, especially in
the narrow and crowded streets, exercises an important influence
on health. Many streets that have been reported on are in an
improved state; but there are still many in the District covered
with mud and water, mixed with animal and vegetable refuse,
giving off pestilential effluvia, and operating injuriously on the
human Constitution. Such streets I hope to bring to your notice
in my future Reports.
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
Many offensive trades carried on in this District affect, to a
certain extent, the public health.
In dealing with these trades or manufactories, I feel that I
have a difficult duty to discharge. I have a duty to perform
towards the neighbourhood; I have a duty to perform towards the
proprietors of these works; and I have a duty to perform towards
the public in general, not only as regards their health, but also as
regards the effect that these works exercise on the trade and
parochial assessments of the Towns in which they are carried on.
The great principle I have endeavoured to carry out has been,
to impress on the owners that, inasmuch as the formation of noxious
and offensive odours is often inseparable from the business they
hold, it is their duty to endeavour to confine these odours as much
as science can dictate to them, and to carry out the most recognised
chemical principles for their destruction previous to their being
finally allowed to escape into the atmosphere.
I have also endeavoured to impress on the minds of the manufacturers
that, unless these stipulations be properly carried out, it
will become my duty to make such Reports to your Board as will
prove their works to be injurious to the public health.
In most instances my injunctions have been complied with,
and hence it is that I have not found it hitherto necessary to make
many unfavourable Reports thereon.
I am aware that some dissatisfaction has been expressed
respecting the line of conduct that I have pursued towards these