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189
Vestry to purchase a disinfector from Messrs. Goddard,
Massey & Warner. The matter was soon put in hand,
and after differences of opinion on the question of suitable
housing of the apparatus were adjusted, the work of construction
steadily proceeded till, at the moment I write, a thoroughly
efficient steam disinfector is in satisfactory regular work.
Removal of House Refuse.—In my last report I pointed
out the necessity for improvement in the system of house refuse
removal. It gives me great pleasure now to record a decided step in
advance in a matter so important to the health of the community.
The Works Committee took up the question with commendable
vigour, and quickly recognising that if a weekly collection was to
be a reality a larger staff would be required applied for and
received from the Vestry the necessary powers to establish the
system of weekly collection from every house in the district;
considering the short time the system has been in use it works
smoothly and well, and complaints which used to be so numerous
are now few and far between.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—Towards the end of 1896
new bye-laws for houses let in lodgings were introduced. Slow
but steady progress has been made with the work of placing
suitable houses on the register, the present number being 86.
Originally 350 cubic feet were allowed for rooms used as dwelling
rooms as well as sleeping apartments, this, however, has since
been altered to 400 cubic feet, the alteration bringing us into line
with all other districts.
Organisation of the Public Health Department.—At
a meeting held on January the 7th, the scheme for
the re-organisation of the Public Health department, proposed by
the Committee, was accepted by the Vestry. An important part of
the scheme was the appointment of a Clerk to the department
who would relieve the Inspectors of much of their clerical work,
keep necessary records, and be in constant attendance at the
office for the purpose of receiving complaints, making appointments,
&c. Mr. H. O. Harris was selected for the post, and he