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Drainage.
At the end of the year there were sixty-nine cesspools and
fifty-seven pail closets in the district. These numbers are respectively
seven and fourteen less than at the beginning of the year,
the reduction having been achieved mainly by the demolition of
unfit houses. In an effort to expedite the abolition of cesspools
the Council have agreed to make a contribution towards the cost of
connecting the drains from these premises to the sewer and negotiations
with the owners concerned are now in progress. Pail closets
and cesspools are emptied regularly by the Engineer & Surveyor's
Department.
The practice of clearing stopped drains free of charge has now
been in operation for five years and has reduced to a minimum
nuisances from this cause.
Keeping of Animals.
Byelaws under Section 81 of the Public Health Act to control
the keeping of pigs, horses and cattle were confirmed by the Minister
of Housing and Local Government in January and came into
operation on the 1st February. The byelaws deal with the structural
condition and cleanliness of premises in which these animals are
kept, the storage of manure, boiling of swill, drainage, etc., and
have proved of considerable assistance to the Sanitary Inspectors
in their efforts to minimise nuisances from this source. In view of
the suspicion which has fallen on flies in the spread of poliomyelitis
these additional powers of coutrol over premises which are particularly
liable to infestation are useful and necessary.
Rodent Control.
One whole-time and one part-time rodent operator are employed.
Treatment is carried out in accordance with the methods
suggested by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. A charge
to cover labour and cost of materials is made for work done in
business premises but all treatment at dwelling houses is free.
During the year 605 treatments were carried out at dwelling
houses and 218 at business premises, and also many ditches,
undeveloped sites, etc., were treated. The use of "Warfarin"
as a poison has been continued on an increased scale and its value
as an alternative to the older poisons fully confirmed.
PART II. FOOD
Milk Supply.
A register of Dairies and Milk Distributors (other than dairy
farms and farmers) is maintained and the numbers shown on the
Register are :
Milk Distributors 21
Dairies 8
15