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14
CLERICAL WORK OF THE SANITARY
DEPARTMENT.
Mr. H. E.Curtis, Senior Clerk, and Mr. W.J. Howe, Junior
Clerk, have performed during the year their clerical duties in a most
satisfactory manner under circumstances of much inconvenience.
The whole of the work has to be performed in a miserably
small apartment, occupied in common with the inspectorial staff,
and those of the public who have occasion to visit the department
for the purpose of gaining information or for other purposes.
Hence the duties are carried on for a portion of the day
in a continual din of talk, amid the frequent intermittent
ringing of the adjacent telephone bell, and subject to constant
interruption. The writer suggested to the Council the necessity
of providing temporary offices for the department, but the consideration
of the suggestion has been unfortunately postponed,
under the mistaken idea that it is practicable to structurally
alter the present building.
Tabulation of the entire work done by the staff, who work
long hours, is not practicable, but an example of some of the
work done is as follows:—
REGISTER OF CLERICAL WORK.
Number of Notifications of Infectious Diseases
entered in Register, copied and sent to Metropolitan
Asylums Board and Schools, receipt
acknowledged and filed 1,113
Number of Complaints of Nuisances received,
entered in Nuisance Register, and filed 985
Number of Letters despatched from Department 2,111
Number of Council Orders issued 215
Number of Meetings of Public Health Committee
prepared for, attended, and Minutes drafted and
written 24
THE FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACTS.
The details with regard to the carrying out of these Acts
have been entrusted to Mr. Richard Phillips and to Miss O'Kell.
Mr. Phillips has also special duties with regard to nuisances from