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66
yet been paid into Court, and what with the difficulty in carrrying out the work
while the occupiers were on the premises, and in all probability, trouble in
recovering the money, it is not much encouragement to proceed again under
this Section.
The systematic house to house inspection has practically ceased, as it has
taken all the available time to keep pace with the ordinary routine work.
The Gipsies nuisance has not been so great as in former years, although
135 vans have been removed, which necessitated 216 visits.
The Common Lodging-house has been well kept during the year, and 113
visits have been made, but the matter of dealing with these old premises must
be left till a later date.
Two pieces of land, viz., one at the corner of Town and Marsden Roads,
and one at the corner of Bounces and Eldon Roads, have been fenced in under
Section 31, Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1907. This has done away
with the many nuisances that occurred here.
There are 34 factories and 70 workshops; also 540 out-workers. A number
of contraventions were found to exist and these have been remedied. 98 visits
were paid to the factories, 312 visits to the workshops, and 736 visits to the
outworkers.
The three unfortunate women who kept a number of cats in their living
and sleeping room, under the most filthy and disgusting conditions possible,
and who owing to their obstinacy caused the Department so much trouble,
eventually had to be summoned to abate the nuisance. They were fined 5s. per
day and costs for not abating the nuisance (£6 10s. in all). They never paid
the fine, but I am pleased to say they disappeared from the district.
A change took place in the Department during the year, Mr. Coates, the
second Assistant Inspector, having obtained an appointment at Buxton, Mr.
Huckle was appointed to fill the vacancy, who I am pleased to say, has carried
out his work in a most satisfactory manner.
During the year, Mr. Farrar left the office to serve his King and Country,
being the fourth to leave this department, and we trust they may be spared to
return to us when the war is over.
It once more gives me pleasure to express my appreciation of the valuable
help given by the Sanitary Staff in carrying out the work recorded in this report.
I also wish to thank the Chairman and members of the Sanitary Committee for
their kind consideration and support, and the officers of other departments who
are always very willing to render all possible assistance.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
RICHARD JOHN BUTLAND,
Chief Sanitary Inspector.