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purpose of a Bakehouse. The Public Health Committee, after
inspecting the premises, declined to grant the request.
Drain-testing.
During the year, 797 drains were tested by chemicals and
smoke, and in 197 cases defects were discovered to exist, principally
in the traps. In each case steps were immediately taken to
procure the amendment of such defects. Much good work has
been done in this direction, and some of the old properties in the
District can now boast of new drains.
Complaints.
Four hundred and fifty-two complaints have been received—
266 written and 186 verbal; many of them proved, on examination
to be frivolous, and others beyond the jurisdiction of the
Sanitary Authority, others had been made from sheer vindictiveness,
whilst many were perfectly justifiable. There are many persons with
confused ideas as to what are the functions of a Sanitary Inspector
applications being frequently made for the ejectment of an
undesirable lodger or neighbour, &c.
A large number of anonymous letters containing various
complaints have been received, and in a few instances neither the
name nor the number of any street was given, in consequence of
which they could not be traced. The rule of the Department is
to investigate every complaint made, and personally I think that
it is preferable that a few anonymous, frivolous complaints should
be investigated, than run the risk of neglecting one that may turn
out to be of a serious character.
Unsound Food.
The Market Places and Stalls have been under the observation
of the Sanitary Inspectors daily, and especially on Saturday
nights. On six occasions unsound food has been discovered and
destroyed by the owner in the presence of the Inspector. In one
instance a box of 400 eggs was seized, and condemned by a
Magistrate ; the owner having decamped, no prosecution followed.