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6
Some of the already existing houses are so old and of
such antique architecture that they are hardly fit for habitation,
and are on the borderland of the condemned list, but it
is difficult to take steps in this matter whilst there is the
present shortage, as if the tenants are removed there is
nowhere for them to go.
6. Sewage Disposal.
The sewage disposal of your District is the greatest
difficulty with which I have had to deal during the past vear.
I have been called in twenty-six times by householders owing
to the insanitary condition of their drains. I have always
found the cesspools over flowing and the drains choked.
Though no serious consequences have arisen from these
conditions as far as I am aware at present, yet I feel we are
living on a volcano, and that at any time some serious
epidemic might be produced or disseminated by this chronic
overflow and leakage of sewage. Every effort should be made
to keep it under. The Surveyor has done his best, but with
the shortage of labour and the very inferior type of labourers
obtainable, the matter has been very poorly grappled with.
Now that times are becoming more normal, I do hope
every effort will be made to obtain sufficient and proper
labour and appliances to keep this growing evil under, so that
all full cesspools might be at once emptied and the District
freed from this disgusting and dangerous condition.
7. New Buildings.
A considerable number of large new buildings are
being erected by the Air Board, and as they are Government
property we must take it that the sanitary conditions are
satisfactory.