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(3) Comparative freedom from flies.
(4) Diminution of infectious diseases and of diairhoea and sickness.
(5) Absence of offensive smells.
" Francis J. Allan,
" Medical Officer of Health."
A list of the number of fixed dustbins removed on the initiative of
the Public Health Department, and movable tins provided, is given
above ; notices were issued in a number of instances requiring the site
on which the fixed bin stood to be made good.
Removal of Offensive Refuse.—Complaints were made of offensive
smells in a number of instances occurring during the removal of
kitchen refuse from hotels, &c. One person was cautioned for
removing refuse during prohibited hours.
Drainage, &c., Plans.—Five hundred and seventy-two sets of plans
were examined during 1908. 455 of these resulted from notices served
by the Public Health Department, and 117 were plans of new buildings
or re-constructions, the drainage of which is under the supervision of
the City Engineer, with, the exception of such matters as come under
the Public Health Act and by-laws made thereunder in respect
of water closets, water supply, ventilation, &c.
Failure to send in plans as required by law occurred in eleven
instances.
Infringement of the by-laws in connection with the erection of
buildings occurred in eight instances.
Proceedings against the persons offending were taken (1) by
the Works Department, for failure to comply with the Council's
order as to the drainage of Nos. 418-422, Strand. An appeal was
taken to the High Court. The Divisional Court dismissed defendant's
appeal, so far as it related to the conviction for failure to provide a
vent-pipe to one of the manholes, but the conviction for not having
provided at least two untrapped openings was quashed, as the Court
was of opinion that the conviction was technically incorrect; (2) by
the Public Health Department, for failure to give notice of intention
to construct a w.c., and constructing it in a manner contrary to the
By-laws, at the Mayfair Garage. Fined 40s. and 23s. costs on one
summons, and 10s. and 2s. costs on the other.
Testing Drains.—One thousand one hundred and fifty-six tests
were applied to 1,121 drains, soil-pipes, &c., during the year, of which
410 with stroke or water were carried out under the supervision of the
Sanitary Inspectors by the men of the disinfecting staff. The routine
is to test a drain first by means of chemicals, and, if necessary, subsequently
with smoke, air, or water. After reconstruction, drains below