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district, have been thoroughly investigated. Where any improvement
in the fittings or stoking of furnaces or boilers could be
effected, this has been readily tried. I have found in two or three
instances that the chief cause of black smoke being emitted is the
shortage of boiler power, this necessitating the small boilers being
worked at their very highest pressure ; thus the constant stoking
required to keep up sufficient steam entails a very great amount of
care being exercised in order to keep down the smoke.
I have not found it necessary to take Police Court proceedings in
respect of above during the year, however, the manufacturers seeming
anxious not to infringe the Act if possible.
In three or four instances (in butchers' shops) gas engines for
refrigerating purposes, etc., were found existing, and the " Factory
Inspector " communicated with respecting same.
Where necessary for any workshops to be cleansed and whitened,
notice has been given, and the work put in hand without delay.
One extra " workplace " has been added to the list during the year,
viz., a carpenter's shop, and the drainage of same reconstructed.
A latrine closet has been furnished with automatic flushing
apparatus at Messrs. Fletcher's, Ltd., Bridge Road. This I had
erected so that in the ensuing year, pending the construction of the
Council's new sewer in Bridge Road, it could be easily removed
from the river side, where it is at present discharging into the river,
and placed in its permanent position. The whole of the premises,
together with Messrs. Locke, Lancaster and Company's and Lamb,
Beale and Son's, will also then be properly drained and discharged
into the new sewer.
Food and Drugs Act.
Fifty-seven samples of food and drugs have been purchased and
submitted to the Public Analyst for analysis, 10 of which were