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38
A large number of dust-bins have been provided or put into
a proper condition during the year. There can be no doubt
that in the near future a great change in the method of
collecting household refuse must take place. More methodical
removal will be urgently insisted upon and that can only be
properly carried out by the Board's own staff, experience
having shewn that the contract system fails just when
frequent removal is most necessary, during the hotter months
of the year, when ash production is at its minimum, rendering
it unprofitable to collect so frequently as during the winter,
when more ashes are to be obtained. In the summer a
greater quantity of vegetable and other organic refuse is
thrown into the common receptacle, the dust-in, with the
result of more offensive and active decomposition of its
contents. The whole subject of the removal of house, stable,
trade and other refuse constitutes a problem which must be
taken into active consideration by the various local authorities
of the Metropolis before long.
The possible advent of Cholera, in view of the severe outbreak
in Southern Europe was the cause of much sanitary
activity during the later months of 1884; and although there
is substantial reason for hoping that we shall escape a
visitation of this fatal disease in 1885, the year in which in
obedience to the laws of its progression in former epidemics
it might be expected, it behoves all responsible for the public
health to adopt every precaution, so that we may not be
found unprepared should an outbreak occur this year, recollecting
that all measures of a preventive sanitary nature are
valuable as diminishing the prevalence of other epidemic
diseases.
In conclusion I have once more to thank the Members
of the Board and its Committees for the continued
support and assistance in carrying out my duties in the
sub-district which they have been pleased to accord me, and
without which it would have been impossible to discharge