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70
The question of defective drainage, plays a most important part in
the sanitary condition of the Hamlet, and frequently we have had to
encounter serious opposition from landlords, owing to the necessity of
opening up drains to find the defects. Some months ago I recommended
to the Sanitary Committee, the purchase of a Smoke Test
Apparatus, by which the defects in the drains are at once shown ; it has
been in use about six months, during which time we have had many
opportunities of proving it to be a most valuable agent, in finding out
the defects in drains, both to our own satisfaction, and to that of the
landlord.
The house to house visitation has been steadily going on during
the past year with the result that now we are coming to the better
streets the defects of which are not so numerous, but require visiting all
the same. I hope that this time next year I may be able to report
that all or nearly every house in the Hamlet has a proper water supply
to the closet, dust bin provided and the drains properly trapped.
I think that such a number of Sanitary Improvements have been
carried out, (notwithstanding the fact of Mr. Leshaw the senior
inspector was laid up with Typhoid Fever for several months, during
which time the whole of the work was carried out by Mr. Cox,)
shows the Sanitary department has not been idle.
I have to thank the members of the Sanitary Committee, for their
kindness and courtesy during the past twelve months ; they have
always been most willing to take into consideration, anything that
from a sanitary point of view, would improve the district.
I have the honour
to be your obedient servant,
THOMAS TAYLOR,
Medical Officer of Health.