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85
It is one continued worry even to arrive at a compromise with the owner
to get the nuisance abated.
The following work has been carried out:—
Number of drains re-constructed 99
New inspection chambers provided 47
New soil pipes and ventilating pipes 42
Drains examined, tested and exposed 589
Drains unstopped, repaired, trapped 301
There are only nine cesspools in the district, six belonging to private
houses and three to a factory. These are periodically emptied and cleansed.
MORTUARY.
I inspect these premises personally almost daily, and am pleased to
say have found them at all times to be in a satisfactory condition. During
the year the total number of bodies received was 128, an increase of 49 on
the previous year.
There were Post Mortems made in 90 instances, and Inquests held in
94. The number of bodies left in the Mortuary (after inquest) until burial
was 15. It was necessary in 14 cases to detain the bodies (after inquest)
until burial, owing to decomposition having set in.
Undertakers deposited 25 bodies to await burial, and facility is given
them to do so, as in many instances there is insufficient accommodation at
the residence of the relatives.
In all there were 17 bodies buried by the Guardians, and in three cases
it was found necessary to have the bodies removed to the Mortuary, owing to
the parents or responsible parties not being in a position to bury. The facts
were at once communicated to the Relieving Officer and arrangements made
for burial.
I regret to say that many bodies were received in a dirty and verminous
condition.
In my last Report I mentioned that the mortuary attendant's residence
was some ten minutes' walk from the mortuary. His duties call him there both
by day and by night. May I, therefore, again suggest that a residence adjoining
the Town Hall be provided for him and his salary adjusted accordingly.
This would facilitate his operations generally, and being on the spot
he could keep a closer watch on the Council's property.