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Removal and Disposal of House Refuse.
Throughout the year the arrangements in connection with scavenging remained
in the hands of the Highways Committee and under the control of the Highways
Engineer, Mr. James Gair. As these arrangements are similar to those in vogue
in 1920, and fully described in my report for that period, it is unnecessary to repeat
the information there given. The total amount of refuse collected for the year ended
31st March, 1922, it may be mentioned, was 37,088 tons, as compared with 35,744
tons in the previous year.
So far as the arrangements existing in houses, business premises, etc., are
concerned, it may be noted that the movable, covered metal dustbin is most commonly
found. Old brick receptacles are quite rare, the number demolished during the year
being 17. New metal dust receptacles were provided to 1281 premises.
During the year the inspectors made 3,259 visits. The majority of these were
made by Inspector Hill who gives part time to this work.
For neglect of the provisions with regard to the covering of dustbins, etc., 30
notices were served. Remedies in each case were carried out, legal proceedings not
being necessary in any instance.
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE DISTRICT.
Staff.—During the year there were on the staff of the Public Health Department,
in addition to the medical officer of health, a deputy medical officer of health
(Dr. W. W. Jameson), a tuberculosis officer and assistant medical officer of health for
tuberculosis purposes (Dr. J. Donaldson Saner, who joined the staff in April, 1921,
when the Tuberculosis Dispensary was taken -over by the Council), two drainage
inspectors, one outdoor superintendent, one meat and food inspector, one
house-to-house inspector, six district inspectors, seven women sanitary inspectors
and health visitors, one chief and five assistant clerks and an office youth, with, in
addition, at the Tuberculosis Dispensary, a sister and a clerk dispenser.
The keeper of the public mortuary, the matron and the one female and two
male members of the staff of the shelter and baths, the caretakers at the dispensary,
the two disinfectors, the men and women attendants at the underground conveniences,
and the men employed in flushing the overground conveniences, are also attached
to the department and immediately responsible to the Public Health Committee.
Nuisances.—From the following summary some idea of the amount of work
done in relation to nuisances is given. For details of other works carried out by the
inspectors, reference must be made to the sections dealing with housing, food,
infectious diseases, etc.
In regard to nuisances, the first point to note is that the total number of
complaints received was 3,217, as against 1,900 in 1920. The majority of these
complaints were made by the inspectors themselves, though a certain number came
from other members of the Council's staff, from voluntary health workers, etc. In
respect of nuisances, 856 statutory notices were issued, as against 475 in 1920.