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builders, workmen, or tenants on the other hand. Moreover,
the visits have necessarily had frequently to be made
by appointment, at times inconvenient to the Inspectors
and in relation to their other duties. By far the most
difficult of the two branches of the work included in the
above returns is that relating to the drainage of houses
already built, in regard to which it has proved almost, if not
quite, impossible in many cases to become acquainted with
all the defects of underground drainage, before amendment
was in progress, or to compel complete reconstruction on
the most approved principles. Nevertheless, and notwithstanding
considerable, not to say needless, friction, the
work on the whole has been carried out to my satisfaction,
and I am perfectly sure that it will never now be discontinued,
and will prove of immense sanitary value to the
Parish. I confess that I am much gratified that so much
new and important work has been effected, not only with
little opposition and annoyance, but largely with the
cordial co-operation and approval of builders, architects,
landlords, and tenants."
On the 30th October of the year 1889, from the report
for which the latter extract has been taken, the Infectious
Diseases Notification Act came into operation, and
involved a large increase of the duties of the sanitary
department, not only in the way of inspection and disinfection,
but also in the matter of clerical work and correspondence.
Recognising this fact, and further, that while
hitherto all the clerical work had devolved on the Inspectors
and Medical Officer, and that no Clerk or other
official had ever been appointed to assist them in their
work, or to be present in the office during business hours
in order to receive complaints and give information, &c.,