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until I procured from the Sanitary Committee an order to serve
a notice on the owner of the yard to provide proper privy accommodation
connected with the sewer, and also a fit and proper
water supply and apparatus for scouring the same. As this
would have entailed a large expense, the owner gave the gypsies
notice to leave, which they did forthwith. I have also procured
the removal of several offensive trades which were newly established
in the district during the year. Amongst them were
two premises on which the skins of fish were cleaned and dried,
during which a most offensive smell was given off, as the skins
were by no means sweet when brought to the premises. The
service of a notice, after personal inspection by myself, with the
threat of a prosecution, induced the occupiers to remove elsewhere.
A large pickle maker was also compelled to remove, as
the smell on opening barrels imported from Holland was often
most offensive (the vegetables having only been packed in brine),
and were sometimes decayed. In this latter case I had to visit
the premises several times. I have also with much difficulty
obtained the closing of three large shoots where decaying vegetable
and other offensive matters were deposited, as they were
near to houses, and induced diarrhoea, and in one instance, it was
believed, diphtheria. These places are very difficult to deal with,
owing to the peculiar state of the law, but as the district is being
rapidly built over, we shall possibly be less annoyed by them in
future.
I have inspected several places which were in a barely habitable
state, partly from dilapidations, and parly owing to structural
defects, and have been able to procure a great amendment
in their condition by notices served under the Nuisances Removal
Act, with a threat that if the requisite works were not carried
out the provisions of the Artisans and Labourers Dwellings
(Torrens') Amendment Act would be enforced. There are some
places now under notice which will be improved, but owing to
the houses not being closely surrounded by others, it is impossible
to show by statistics that they are unhealthy, as the death-