THE SANITARY STATE OF THE TOWN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 660, 11 December 1874, Page 2

THE SANITARY STATE OF THE TOWN.

The Mayor at the last sitting of the Town Council said in his capacity as Chairman of the Local Board of Health, had reported to the Central Board on the sanitary state of the Town, accompanying hisreportwith ono by Dr. Thomson., the resident medical Officer of the District. The latter (appended below) and which must he taken with every degree of confidence, lays bare some facts, the which though not startling or of a nature to create unnecessary alarm, are yet of such a character that immeliato action towards lessening the evil is demanded. The functions of the Local Board of Health arc clearly defined in the Public Health Act, 1572, and however disagreeable they may lie it is imperative when tho health of the Town is threatened for thiim to act, or to call upon tho Central Board to do their dirty work for them. We have too much confidence, however, in the Local Board to think for a moment that they will shiik their duty, but with tire view of bringing that duty more plainly before them, we quote the substance of Section 2d of the Public Health Act, it is as follows “If at any time it shall appear to the Central Board that any Local Board neglects to efficiently enforce its powers under the Act, and Hint from such omission or neglect the health or comfort of the in • habitants resident within its jurisdiction is effected, tho Central Board may issue an order declaring that tho powers vested in the Local Board are suspended,arm become vested in the Central Board, any expense incurred by tho Central Board in carrying nut tho provisions of tho Act within tl a limits of the said Local Board if not pj. may ho sued for in any' Court of Law.” Dr Thomson’s report is as follows : By desire of his Worship the Mayor, tho Chairman of the Local Board of Health, I made a general inspection of the Township of Clyde, and have arrived at the following o inclusions, viz.—

1. That the Township is at present healthy as far as infections and contagions diseases are concerned. There have been and there are still a few cases of cold, resulting from the very changeable weather, some of these of a cronpy tendency. Tho epidemics of which I spoke in my plotter to you has now quite disappeared. 2. That although at present healthy, the Township may at any moment assume an unhealthy nature, more especially if there should be any heavy rains, owing to the quantity of stable manure which is heaped up at tho rear of promise, and special attention is directed to a large quantity of such manure lying between Mr Faohe's resilience and the Chinaman’s garden, (Ki Noon's) intermixed with other refuse mat* ter, as well as with carcases of animals and fowls.

3. Behind the Chinese Store, a quantity of refuse has been deposited, which ought to have been deposited in the usual depot, such deposits having a tendency to breed infection.

4. That the race at the back of the Township is in anything hut a clean condition, and as a considerable quantity of the water from the said race is used for domestic purposes, attention is therefore specially directed to its condition, as infectious and contagious diseases spread more rapidly and surely by' this means, (unclean water). 5. As a whole the Township is' clean, but could be more so, if all deposits, which are now lying about, wore removed to tho proper place, and all piggeries should he removed without tho Township, and skins of slaughtered animals also, and other offal.

C. That a great deal of dirt and filth ■would be prevented from entering the race if ducks and geese were prohibited from being reared in the township, at any rate from being allowed to pollute the water.

7. The subsoil is well fitted for drainage, and as long as the surface is kept free from decomposing matter, percolation will still continue to go on, and as long as such is the case we may depend on the good health of the Town, but not otherwise. Should you desire any other information wot herein contained, 1 shall be happy to afford it you. (Signed) A. TINLING THOMSON.