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rubbish having found its way into a small stream adjacent thereto. This, on my
advice, was placed in the hands of the Surveyor, and the nuisance dealt with in a
satisfactory manner, so as to prevent recurrence.
Cleansing of Cespools, &c.—The Inspector reports that 27 covered cesspools,
containing 125 loads of sewage, were emptied after being deodorized with an acid
solution of manganate of soda, and the contents removed to the depot by the
Council's plant and men.
As to the "supervision which was exercised over places and houses that the
Sanitary Authority has power to regulate."
Slaughterhouses.—These were frequently visited by your Inspector and
myself during the year, and were generally found in a good condition, though the
construction of some of the older ones gives plenty of room for improvement.
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops.—The necessity of extreme cleanliness in
these places is important, owing to the great readiness with which milk absorbs
bacteria, which may be the means of causing changes in the milk itself, making it
inimical to the consumer especially to young infants, or of conveying various
infectious diseases.
The premises in the district connected with the supply of milk have been
frequently visited. and, generally speaking, the sanitary conditions found to be good,
any defects being of a slight nature, and easily and willingly remedied; in one
instance only it has been found necessary to severely caution an owner for the dirty
condition in which the cows and cowsheds were kept, and the improper condition of
the room used for the storage of milk. It is extremely difficult to make such people
realise the necessity of grooming the cows, ensuring the personal cleanliness of the
milker, and keeping the surroundings in a more hygienic condition than is usually
associated with the pigstye.
The Inspector of Dairies, Cowsheds, & Milkshops makes the following return for the
year 1903:—
Number of registered cowkeepers, dairymen, and purveyors of milk,
carrying on business at the commencement of the year 17
Number since registered 0
Number who gave up or transferred their business during the year 1
Number of registered premises inspected during the year 17
Total number of visits paid during the year 71
Number of cowsheds and dairies at which improvements in the
lighting, ventilation, paving, drainage, means of cleansing, or
water supply, were made during the year 2
Number of cowsheds or dairies which were found in a dirty state 2
Number of premises at which the milk vessels were found in an
unclean state 0
Number of new cowsheds erected 0
Factory and Workshops' Act, 1901.
During the year 101 workshops, &c, have been inspected by the Medical Officer
of Health, and the Sanitary Inspector.
The following list shows the various
industries as carried on in the workshops:—