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60
NUISANCES.
In Table XVII. will be found summarised the numbers of different matters
dealt with during the year under the clauses of the Public Health
Act relating to nuisances.
The largest proportion in the case of vessels, equal to 75 per cent., will be
seen to be nuisances arising from the dirty and offensive condition of occupied
living quarters.
In the case of dwellings on shore, the proportion is equal to 64 per cent, of
the total number.
This class of nuisance, more particularly on vessels, is dealt with promptly
and personally by the Inspector in charge of each district, who gives his
verbal orders for the necessary cleansing, and sees that it is carried out.
Comparing the total number of these nuisances with the total number of
vessels inspected, which is given by Table III., it will be seen that the
proportion of dirty crews' quarters on vessels is equal to 21 per cent. of the
total number of inspections.
Allowing for repeated visits, this probably means that on about every third
vessel the crews' quarters require cleaning.
Reference to the summary of Table XVII. will show that 290, or 6 per cent.
of the total, referred to smoke nuisances, and 3,960, or 91 per cent., to structural
and other defects. Eighty-two, or 1.88 per cent., to infringements of the Byelaws
relating to offensive cargoes, and 13 nuisances from the presence in the
River of offensive matter.
Deducting those nuisances which, as stated above, were dealt with on the
spot and required no written notice, in dealing with the remainder it will be
seen that 608 written intimations were sent, and in 168 cases it was necessary
to follow this up with a statutory notice.
In nearly every case this was effective. In 19 cases, however, I advised
that the matter should be placed before Mr. Solicitor, with a view to further
legal proceedings, but in no case was this stage reached, apparently a
letter being sufficient to impress upon the delinquents the desirability of
prompt action.
With regard to smoke nuisance from vessels, I think it quite safe to report
that this, during the past year, has been greatly modified. Recurrences after
service of a statutory notice have been comparatively few, and the circumstances
in each case have made it difficult to procure evidence sufficiently
conclusive to ensure a conviction.