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work of the department.

Offensive Refuse.—This includes (a) trade refuse ; (b) manure ; and (c) house refuse.
Trade refuse.—There were eight prosecutions during the year for the removal of offensive
(trade) refuse during prohibited hours. (See Legal Proceedings.)
Manure.—The Order requiring the removal of manure every forty-eight hours was duly
placarded throughout the Borough at the commencement of the summer. Owing to the
unseasonable weather there were very few complaints arising from the non-removal of
manure, or from the removal of peat moss litter.
Hon se Refuse.—Few complaints were received of offensive effluvia from dustbins. The
majority of the complaints received related to dustbins belonging to boarding houses. In
some instances the dustbins were found to be defective, and in others refuse liable to
undergo decomposition had been placed. These matters were duly dealt with, but the
proper remedy, viz. more frequent removal from such premises, has not yet been introduced.
Drainage Work.—Last year 665 new drains were put in at existing houses, under the
supervision of the Inspectors, each being water-tested before and after "filling in." In 1902,
573 new drains were similarly constructed, and in 1901, 572. During the year 70 old drains
were tested and found sound at the first inspection. The majority of such drains had been reconstructed
at earlier dates under the supervision of the Staff of the Department.
The By-laws pursuant to the Metropolis Management Acts Amendment (By-laws)
Act, 1899 were issued in August last. The By-laws as issued are practically identical with
the draft issued in January, 1900—more than three years prior to the adoption of the
By-laws.
The By-laws require notice to be given and duplicate plans, See., to be deposited with
Sanitary Authority, fifteen days previous to commencing work of constructing, reconstructing,
altering, &c., any drain, &c. The Council had not, at the end of the year
decided whether the supervision of the reconstruction, &c., of existing drains should remain
with the Public Health Department or be transferred to the Works Department.
Combined Drainage.—The following systems have been reported as defective during
the vear :—
(1) No. 35, Albion Street and Nos. 21 and 22,
Albion Mews East.
(2) 5 and 6, Alexander Street.
(3) 20-24 (even), Artesian Road.
(4) 24-38 (even), Beethoven Street.
(5) 1-5 (odd) Chippenham Road.
(6) 9, Green Street and 1, North Wharf Road.
(7) 36-40 (consec.), Porchester Square and 1,
Porchester Square Mews.
(8) 74-86 (even), Porchester Terrace and 41-45
(consec.), Porchester Square.
(9) 32 and 34, Richmond Road.
(10) 12 and 13, Shelden Street.
(11) 1, 2, and 3, Warwick Place.
(12) 107, Westbourne Park Road and 108 and
108A, Richmond Road.
(13) 20-26 (even), Westbury Road.