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2
Condition of the Houses of Working Classes.— As I pointed out in my last
year's Report, on the whole, the working class is housed well.
The old property is a constant source of trouble, partly due (and for the
most part) to the bad construction of the sewers, and the drains, and w.c.'s
connected thereto, and partly to the carelessness of the tenants themselves.
This will be seen in detail under the heading of the various courts.
The District Council is doing all in its power to remedy these defects
by
(1) Where they are found to be under the control of the Sanitary
Authority, testing the sewers and, if necessary, re-laying and
ventilating them.
(2) Causing flushing apparatus to w.c.'s to be adopted by the owners.
(3) More numerous sanitary dust bins.
(4) Frequent inspections by Sanitary Officials.
In connection with the property of a more modern type, 1 think much
improvement might be brought about by a more thorough system of ventilating
the house drains.
Overcrowding.—Four cases have come under my notice during the year, all of which
have been abated. A good deal of difficulty has been experienced in getting
information upon which to act.
Burial Grounds.—The condition of the Cemetery continues to be excellent.
Some improvement might be made in the winter time for the better
accommodation of mourners, as the Mortuary Chapel (when the weather is bad)
is cold and comfortless in the extreme, but as the Council are, by Order from
March 25th next becoming the Burial Authority for the district, doubtless
this will receive attention.
The Axe Street Ground is now voluntarily closed.
The Burial Ground in North Street is kept in excellent condition.
The Churchyard is still open for the burial of those who own graves
there. One could wish that some step might be taken to render it more
attractive.
Number of interments during 1896, twenty-three.
Slaughter Houses.—There are three Registered Slaughter Houses in the District,
and one licensed one.
The usual inspections have been made and notices, as to cleansing and
whitewashing, served and complied with.