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41
Railway Stations.—The sanitary conveniences at the railway
stations in the district are periodically inspected. And at the time
of writing improvements are being requested.
The Street Dust Nuisance.—The work carried out by the
Council under the direction of the Surveyor (Mr. R. H. Jeffes) of
treating the main roads with tar to minimise the dust nuisance
was extended during the past year and proved highly successful,
and a boon to tradesmen and residents on the roads affected.
Owing to the many advantages derived from this treatment of the
road surface both from the public health standpoint, as well as the
preservation of the road itself, it is to be hoped this work will be
extended each year.
The Smoke Nuisance.—Very little cause for complaint has
arisen during the year.
Private Streets. —Complaints have again been received
during the year of the conditions of many of these streets.
This has of course occurred particularly during the continuous
wet weather we have experienced, and is a condition which one
must rather expect in a growing district, with new streets being
formed and estates opened up.
During the year Burlington Road (part of), Dunbar Road,
and Wellington Crescent (part of) have been made up with artificial
stone footpaths, granite curb, channelling, etc., and these
great improvements upon past conditions are highly appreciated
by the inhabitants.
The existence of soft roads, and still softer footpaths, absorbing
as they undoubtedly do all the rain and other waste waters and
products (with numerous accumulations of stagnant water, etc.),
in some of these private streets is without a doubt a continual
menace to the public health, and in the streets comprising small
property in particular these conditions encourage unclea'nliness on
the part of the occupiers, for however industrious a housewife may
be, it is impossible to keep the house clean under these conditions,
with the result that things get from bad to worse.
The Highways and New Roads Committee and the Council
have done their utmost in endeavours to make headway with the
making up of these streets, but owing to continuous opposition
and objections on the part of owners, it is very disappointing to
find that the progress made during the year, is far from what was
confidently anticipated twelve months ago.