View report page

3
A fitted ambulance van has also been provided for the removal of patients; and
telephonic communication has been installed between the Hospital and the residence of the
Medical Superintendent.
During the year under review no case of Small Pox having occurred in the district,
it was, of course, not found necessary to use the temporary Hospital erected during 1902.
The Hospital has, however, been maintained in a state of efficiency.
Our tenure of the land upon which this building stands is very nearly approaching
its termination, and I can only most strongly urge upon the Council the pressing necessity of
making arrangements without delay for the reception and treatment in a hospital of persons
suffering from this disease should any such occur; or I shall be reduced to the unsatisfactory
measure of patients having to be treated for this terrible disease in their own homes, which,
should such contingency occur, would be much to be deplored.
Water Supply.—I have examined two samples of well water and both were found to
be fit for domestic use.
Practically the whole of this district is supplied, with water on the constant service
system by the Grand Junction section of the Metropolitan Water Board.
The service is well maintained, and the quality of the water gives no cause for
complaint.
Waterworks.—The pumping stations of three of the Companies now merged in the
Metropolitan Water Board are situated in this District, and occasional complaints have been
made of the nuisance caused by the discharge of black smoke from the chimney shaft of one
of these works.
This nuisance has latterly been abated considerably, and I trust that with care
on the part of those responsible for these works that there will be 110 further cause of
complaint.
Trade Premises.—The bakehouses, slaughter-houses, dairies and cowsheds in the
District have been inspected from time to time by myself and the Inspector, and it has
been necessary to require the occupiers of these premises to be more attentive to necessary
works of cleansing and limewashing, as I consider that too much attention cannot be paid
to the cleanliness of these premises, in which a large proportion of the food of the
people is prepared.
There are no regulations in force in this District relating to cowsheds, dairies
and milkshops, and it is very desirable that the Council should formulate a series of
Eegulations applicable to these businesses for the approval of the Local Government Board.
The Soaj3 Works have been visited periodically, and I have no fault to find
with the conduct of the business.
Dwelling Houses.—Five houses which were in an unsatisfactory condition were
closed by the owner; these and four others—previously closed by order of the Magistrates
—have been demolished, and new ones are being erected upon the sites.
A considerable number of dwelling houses have been inspected by myself and the
Inspector during the year, including a house-to-house inspection of a portion of the District,
the result being that it was found necessary to require various repairs and a considerable
amount of cleansing of rooms and the surroundings of the houses carried out.
These works have been promptly done in most instances, and other remedial
works are now in progress.
In only one instance was it found necessary to take proceedings before the
Magistrates in order to obtain the abatement of nuisances, with the result that the Bench
made an Order for the works to be executed, and the payment of costs.
The work was done by the Council in accordance with the Order of the Court.
Eight cases of overcrowding have been discovered and abated during the year.