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12
a very bad state indeed, and I purpose making a report
on them very shortly. They will probably require
closing, as their present condition constitutes a danger
to health.
GROWTH OF THE DISTRICT DURING THE
PAST YEAR.
At the Census taken at the end of the year there were
1410 occupied houses, and 277 occupied flats, giving a
total of 1687 occupied houses. There are 81 buildings
in course of erection. Five new roads have been made
up and taken over by the Council.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL WORKS.
The new septic tank referred to in my last Annual
Report was completed in the Autumn, and has greatly
assisted in the purification of the sewage. The 80ft.
circular filter which was then in course of construction
has proved most satisfactory, and with the other improvements
has produced an extremely good effluent. Great
credit is due to the Surveyor, Mr. Walker, for the success
of these works, and the very great improvement in
the farm generally. . The want now is a refuse destructor
to dispose of the house refuse of all kinds that
accumulates on the farm.
I am much indebted to Mr. Walker for the followTing
summary of the rainfall during 1904, also for the
chart appended to this report, showing growth of population,
and death and birth rate for the last ten years in
a very interesting manner, and for other information in
regard to road making, sewering, &c.
Total rainfall 21.63 inches
for 1903 36.13 „
Decrease
of 14.50 ins.
Rain fell on 149 days.
Wettest month, January, with 2.85 inches.
Dryest „ June, „ .82 inches.
Monthlv averages, 1904 1.80
„ ' „ 1903 3.01
1902 1.74
July 25, wettest day, with 1.10 inches of rain