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12
last mentioned. Doubtless many otherwise inexplicable
attacks of disease are caused by dust, and, therefore,
in addition to the palliative process of laying it
as far as possible by frequent watering, it is highly
essential to discover some preventive to lessen the
evil, so far at least as roads are concerned. Of many
materials in the market, several have been tested in
Ealing with varying success. There is a concensus of
opinion, in which your Borough Surveyor concurs,
that before deciding on any one in particular, it is
expedient to give a still longer trial to those " dustlayers
" he has already experimented with.
I am pleased to see that the planting of trees
along the side of the roads is still being continued.
Ealing has always taken the lead of other suburbs in
making this a distinctive feature, and I hope will
always do so. Since 1874, when a commencement of
this work was made, 12,000 trees and shrubs of various
kinds have been planted.
Finally, I wish to express to the Chairman and
other members of the Public Health Committee, my
sincere thanks for their support and assistance in my
work during the year, which has greatly added to its
interest and value. To myself, personally, it is a
matter of great satisfaction that his Worship the
Ma\or, as Chairman of the Committee, has found
it possible, notwithstanding his manifold engagements,
to continue to preside at its meetings, as he has done
for many years past.
I am,
Your obedient servant,
C. A. PATTEN.
Medical Officer of Health.
March ist, 1909.