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7.
Rivers and streams.
these have been under constant observation. The short length
of unculverted brook in Oakleigh Road shows pollution in times of dry
weather, by paraffin oil, due to motor car owners putting oil into the
surface water gullies, and it is held and becomes noticeable at this
spot, because the rush of storm water from the culvert under the railway
has scooped deep hollows in the bed of the brook, and the water is quiet
enough to allow the oil to come to and remain on the surface.
Closet accommodation.
The water-carriage system is in operation throughout the
district, and there are no privies, middens, or slop water closets.
SANITARY INSPECTION OP THE AREA.
Tables of inspections made and defects remedied through the
action of the Sanitary Inspectors will be found later in this report.
A number of complaints regarding the dampness of new houses
and flats have been received from tenants, and there is little doubt
that the promises are too often occupied before they have dried out.
The modern practice of building houses with few coal consuming
fireplaces, and plastering internally with non-absorbent plasters, tends
to prolong the drying out process, and causes condensation of the warm
moisture laden air within the rooms, thus giving rise to the suggestion
that dampness is prevalent.
A large part of the time of your Sanitary Inspectors is spent
in improving the structual condition of the dwelling houses occupied
by persons of the working classes; use is made of the powers given by
Section 9 of the Housing Act 1936; a few houses being dealt with at
a time. During the year the houses in The Avenue district have been
put into good order.
During the year a travelling fair pitched on a vacant plot
of land in the South Ward. The site was promptly visited by your
Sanitary Inspectors, and proper provision made for water supply and
sanitary services. Several complaints were received, but on
investigation no nuisance remedial under public health law was observed.