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54
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
Bacteriological Examinations.—The specimens received during the year numbered 137
(see below), as compared with 135 in 1907, 127 in 1906, and 61 in 1905. Positive results were
obtained in 57 instances (41.6 per cent.), the percentages in 1907 and 1906 having been 42'2
and 32.2 respectively. The increase in specimens of sputum is satisfactory from an administrative
point of view.
No. of specimens Results.
received. Positive. Negative.
Diphtheria 96 34 62
Enteric fever 21 12 9
"Consumption" 19 10 9
Other 1 1 —
Totals 137 57 80
Offensive Refuse: Trade Refuse.—This is removed principally by private firms, the
Council undertaking the rest on contract. No complaints were received during the year, but
one complaint of offensive smell from a rag and bone shop (not an "offensive trade") received
attention.
Manure.—An Order requiring removal of stable manure three times a week (either on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) was posted throughout
the Borough in May, and was very generally complied with. Nineteen (19) complaints
were received during the year, the best remedy for which was found to be systematic
visitation.
House Refuse.—A larger number of complaints as to irregularity and infrequency of
removal from dwelling houses were received throughout the year, but more particularly
during the summer months. The complaints investigated by the Department numbered 50.
A special inspection made in Queensborough Terrace during October resulted in the discovery
of 17 offensive dustbins out of a total of 92.
It cannot be denied that much of the nuisance arising from house refuse is due to the
neglect of householders to burn greenstuff and other putrescible matters as produced. This
can be done in the kitchen stove without inconvenience or smell. On the other hand it must
be recognised that gas cooking becomes each year more in vogue, with a consequent disuse
of any coal stove in the kitchen. Many flats have been built without such stoves. An
interval of a week—occasionally longer—cannot fail to result in effluvia from dustbins which
are only too frequently very close to the windows of inhabited rooms. From May to October
the collection of house refuse requires to be at shorter intervals than seven days, if not from all
houses then at least from flat properties and tenement houses, where the aggregation of
persons on a comparatively restricted site leads to aggravation of the nuisance. It is believed
that if houses were kept free from putrefying refuse, an important measure towards the
limitation of summer diarrhoea would be inaugurated.
Drainage Work.—The reconstructions of drainage of existing premises during the past
year numbered 605, showing a slight increase over the number for 1907 (584), but not equal
to the numbers for 1906 and 1905, viz., 696 and 669 respectively. In addition to the drains
reconstructed to stand the water test, 68 others of earlier construction were so tested and
found sound.
The reconstruction of the combined drainage on the Queen's Park Estate is still in
progress, the drainage of 218 houses having been dealt with during the year. Altogether