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54
It will be observed that the number of house to house inspections
made during the past twelve months is less than in previous
years.
This decrease is principally to be accounted for by(1), the work
of preparing the wages book by the Assistant Inspector for some
months during the year; and (2), the increasing clerical work of the
department which now takes up a far greater amount of time on the
part of the Assistant Inspector and myself than heretofore, and
necessarily reduces the hours to be devoted to outside work, to
which although obviously so important, it has not been possible to
give the attention it demands.
Complaints.
During the year 107 complaints were received with reference to
alleged existence of nuisances. Each complaint was entered in the
register and the premises immediately inspected, and where a nuisance
was found that could be dealt with under the Public Health
Acts, the necessary steps were taken to remedy or abate the
nuisance.
House Drainage.
The number of drains tested with smoke or chemicals during
the year was 165, and 101 were found to be defective; the greater
number of these defects were found upon opening up for examination
to be due to the pipes not being jointed, and to the water closet or
gully trap not properly connected with the drain. All reconstruction
work is now carefully examined and tested before being
covered in.
In six instances the main drain was found in a defective condition.
They were reported to the Public Health Committee, and
instructions given by them to the Surveyor's Department to carry
out the necessary work under Section 41 of the Public Health Act.