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Refuse Disposal.
The amount of house refuse that has to be dealt
with continues to increase, and this is only partly
accounted for by the development of the district. As
the coal-burning kitchen range is rapidly being replaced
by the gas cooker, there is less opportunity for the
housewife to burn the more combustible part of the refuse
and, consequently, most of it finds its way into the
dustbin. Judging by the very large number of tins and
bottles of various kinds that are found in the refuse, it
is evident that, especially during the summer months,
a considerable proportion of the food consumed in the
district is of the preserved variety. No doubt there are
many good reasons why this should be so, but, nevertheless,
I do not think it is to the credit of the presentday
housewife, and I am sure it is not to the physical
advantage of the family.
The Council are at present considering means of
improving the collection of house refuse, and it is hoped
that the present vehicles will soon be replaced by others
more in keeping with the standard of sanitation that is
aimed at in the district.
Schools.
The sanitary condition of the elementary schools in
the district is on the whole satisfactory. Water closets
and urinals are adequate and are kept in a satisfactory
manner.
Drinking water from the main is available at all the
schools.
Measles and whooping cough were prevalent during
the year, but it was not necessary to close any school
or department.
Certificates under Rule 23 2 (a) of Schedule IV. of
the code were granted on one or two occasions on
account of measles and whooping cough.
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