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6
II.—Not Notifiable.
Influenza.—Five deaths occurred in the early part of the
year. The disease never assumed an epidemic character as in
former years.
Measles.—Two deaths occurred in the beginning and 3 at
the end of the year. They were isolated cases and in different
parts of the District.
Whooping Cough.—Three deaths were registered, all were
infants under two months old.
INSPECTIONS AND OTHER SANITARY WORK.
A systematic inspection of the District was made between
October 12th and 26th. The usual sanitary defects were found
although the number was smaller than in former years. Some
cottages had either no roof-guttering or it was in a defective
condition causing dampness of walls and yards. Owing to the
wet season many cess-pools were overflowing. Some of the
cisterns were found without covers and some with covers defective.
The attention of the inhabitants was directed to keep the cisterns
clean. Domestic animals such as fowls, ducks, rabbits are very
often kept in too confined spaces without proper shelter and
cause offensive smells, especially in wet weather. Wherever such
conditions existed, verbal warnings were given, and in about 16
cases the usual notices were served. Accumulations of manure
and house refuse were frequently found. Special attention was
given to the water-supply of the closets connected with the
main sewers, and it was found that 150 were without water,
21 had an insufficient flush and in 24 cases the flushing apparatus
was defective. Notices were served on the owners to remedy
these defects. Great supervision will be necessary to ensure that
that water-waste preventing cisterns which deliver a small quantity
of water for flushing purposes are kept in order and that the
quantity of discharge is not less than two gallons at a time.
Apart from the annual inspection, special inspections were
made at various times of different localities in connexion with
infectious diseases, nuisances or complaints received. Several
complaints were made with reference to bad smells in Broom Road,
which were frequently brought under your notice. On March 22nd
an inhabitant complained of bad smells arising from the grassland
connected with the Sewage works. I inspected the locality
and found that the effluent was partly discharged on the land,
and the ground being not even and having a slope towards the
adjoining owners land, stagnant pools were formed which caused
offensive smells. As soon as the cause was ascertained, steps
were taken to prevent a recurrence.
In May complaints were made about very offensive smells