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4
The building trade has been very active during the year, and in
these enlightened times, the strict supervision of the erection of
dwellings is a matter of the highest importance, for a damp and badly
built house is responsible for much suffering and often death. The
Mr. Passmore Edwards Cottage Hospital was opened in May, and
is doing most useful work. A Public Library and Fire Station
are also in process of erection.
I am pleased that you purpose erecting a "Destructor Furnace"
with as little delay as possible, and that the question of providing means
for Isolating Infectious Cases will not be long in abeyance; both these
matters are, as you know, of vital importance, especially now that the
population is so rapidly increasing.
I take this opportunity of strongly advising you to adopt the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. Part I. of the Act
enables you to deal with unhealthy areas. Part II., with unhealthy or
obstructive buildings.
I have dealt with the vital statistics under the various headings,
and will only briefly allude to one or two points. With regard to the
population, it will be noticed that I still adhere to the method adopted
for many years, viz.: to allow six persons for each occupied house; but
the correct way to obtain a local census, is to allow six for each occupied
house, and one for each unoccupied house, so as to allow for caretakers,
&c.; by this means you get a better estimation of the population. In
future, I would suggest this latter method.
Our annual death rate is again satisfactory, as is also our birth
rate.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
G. A. GARRY" SIMPSON.