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5
Deaths from Phthisis registered in the parishes of Mortlake
and Barnes—
1874 deaths 21 1891 deaths 17
1875 „ 18 1892 „ 12
1876 „ 26 1893 „ 18
1877 „ 26 1894 „ 17
1878 „ 25 1895 „ 18
116 82
The removal and disposal of house refuse continues most
unsatisfactory. The contract system is a failure. We have
frequent accumulations notwithstanding the constant representations
of Mr. Grylls. These accumulations are very mischievous
under any circumstances, but when it occurs in the small back
yards, and under the windows of cottages, it is difficult to
estimate the amount of injury.
The disposal of the refuse when collected is a difficult matter,
but the difficulty might be overcome by the use of a destructor,
a site for which might be found on the land adjoining the sewage
works, where it would not be near habitations, and could not
be objected to as unsightly or a nuisance.
There has been an opinion amongst some of the members
of the Council that certain localities in the district were overcrowded
and defective in the sanitary condition of the houses.
These localities constitute the poorest parts of the district, and
receive a large amount of attention in the way of inspection,
both from the inspector and myself, in consequence of this impression.
I have made special reports which I give:—
"In consequence of the report in the public papers of the
discussion respecting the sanitary condition of the Westfields
district, which took place at the last meeting of the Council, I
have considered it advisable to give an account of the district,
which will inform you on points which, I trust, will lead to a
more satisfactory knowledge of its real condition.