View report page

21
altogether, and such vague and loose verdicts returned as
"natural," "sudden," "found dead," "probably disease of
the heart," &c., &c., all of which opinions we are called
upon to believe, were arrived at without medical evidence
on the score of economy! the economy consisting in the
saving of a few fees that would otherwise have found their
way into the pockets of the medical profession. If this
saving of fees be really the object, would it not be the best
economy to save the county the expenses of Coroner's Inquests
altogether ? Without medical testimony inquests
can scarcely ever fulfil the purpose for which they are held,
but must remain a reproach to the legislature as well as a
fallacy to the public.
sanitary works accomplished during the year.
In Table VI, appendix, is seen that the sanitary work accomplished
during the year in this parish has been very
considerable, which, when added to what was carried out
during the preceding year and duly noted in my report,
must strike every reader as a great progress in the right
direction. It is gratifying to be able to state that the high
level sewer is now in full operation in many parts of this
Sub-district, and it is to be sincerely hoped will ere long
be so throughout its entire extent.
As many as 950 houses and premises of various kinds
were inspected by the Surveyor and myself, and although
many nuisances, &c., were detected, coercive measures were
wholly unnecessary to ensure their removal or abatement.
The offending parties indeed had only to be reasoned with
and shewn that their own best interests were being considered
in the recommendations submitted to them, to cause
them, in a great number of instances, to comply with such
recommendations in the readiest possible manner.
As usual, all the slaughterhouses, cowhouses and bakehouses
in the parish underwent careful examination by me,
and were subsequently reported on to the District Board.
Although some considerable trouble and annoyance was