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7
somewhat difficult to realise why there is
a lack of suitable applicants for this advantage.
The expenditure by the Council for
the retention of beds is costly, and it is
regrettable that sometimes tor weeks together
it is practically wasted. Of the fourteen
applicants for admission, twelve were
passed and all derived considerable benefit
from their treatment.
Births.
The births registered in t.he borough
during the year were 1,228 (males
632 and females 596), and of these twentyfive
were illegitimate. The total number
is fifty-seven more than last year, and the
largest yet recorded. A birth-rate of 24.7
is thus afforded, being .5 higher than the
year before. The natural increase of our
population was 632. The birth-rate for
England and Wales was 26.3 per thousand
living.
General Sanitary Administration.
On the question of general sanitary administration,
1 have every reason to feel
satisfied with the methods adopted to carry
it out efficiently. As may be surmised, the
duties of inspection have increased largely
with the growth of the borough, and
especially in connection with the "Factory
and Workshops Act," "House to House*'
inspections, and visits to "Dailies. Cowsheds
and Milkshops." During the year I
came, without hesitation, to the conclusion
that without the services of an additional
sanitary inspector this kind of work would
inevitably get into serious arrear with prejudicial
results, and, therefore, it was I felt
compelled to ask for an increase in my staff,
which you have been good enough to grant.
Without at meat inspection, for instance,
must, owing to the presence of other duties,
have received less attention. The returns
made by the sanitary inspectors will, as
usual, afford detailed information of tihe
work accomplished. The number of inspections
and re-inspections during the year
amounted to a total of 6,402. It is unnecessary
to dwell in any detail in connection
with this, but great attention has been
bestowed on the state of the dairies and