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55
Sanitary Matters.—As usual a large amount of
sanitary work, as will be seen by reference to the
abstract taken from the Inspector of Nuisances' book at
the end of this report, has been carried out during the
year. There is one fact which is particularly noticeable,
that is during 1880 1,702 houses were inspected, and
271 notices were served, whilst in 1881 1,838 were inspected
and 181 defects were found, being a considerable
decrease on the previous year; from this it would
appear that the inhabitants are becoming more alive to
the necessity of good sanitary arrangements, and so keep
their houses in better order. This house-to-house inspection
is regularly carried out, and is, I think, one of
the most important duties performed.
Complaints are frequently received of offensive
smells in houses, which, on investigation, are nearly
always found to proceed from a leakage or improper
laying of the drain pipes; in some cases the pipes are
simply placed together without any attempt at joining,
in others the pipes are widely apart with a channel dug
in the earth between them. Under such conditions it
cannot be a matter of surprise that the inmates frequently
suffer. 151 defective drains were cleansed and
repaired.
The epidemics of Small-pox and Scarlet-fever have
caused a large number of houses to be disinfected and
cleansed. The means we used are complete destruction
by burning when necessary, and by burning sulphur; by
which, as will be seen by the special report the most
favourable results are obtained.
The special measures adopted by the Board to prevent,
as far as possible, the spread of these diseases are
so recent as not to need recapitulation. I might remark
they were most successful.