367
DISINFECTING STATIÓN.
The following is a return of the number of articles which have been passed through the steam disinfecting apparatus during the year :-
Articles removed from private houses,
1:
1+
";
Government Civil Hospital,.......... Victoria Gaol,
11
"
Tung Wah Hospital,
11
Military Barracks,
**
22
Naval Yard,...
31,800
3,403
47
2,521
722
739
39,238
Inspector GRIMBLE, of No. 3, Health District, who has been in charge of the Machinery, and has performed these duties in a satisfactory manner, reports that the boiler and fittings are in good order but the building, which is a wooden structure, is in a very dilapidated condition, owing to the depre- dations of white ants. I understand, however, that a permanent brick building is to be shortly erected at Kennedy Town for the accommodation of this plant.
STAFF.
Mention has already been made of the regrettable death from Bubonic Fever of one of the Inspectors of Nuisances (Inspector GALBRAITH MOFFATT) during the year, and also of the deaths from the same cause of two other Government servants belonging to this Department. Inspector MOFfatt's vacaney was filled by the appointment of Inspector FREDERICK FISHER, who has performed his duties in a satisfactory manner.
During the prevalence of the epidemic the Inspectors and other members of the staff proved, by the energetic and conscientious manner in which they carried out the heavy duties that were then thrown upon them, and which were not by any means devoid of danger, that they are to be relied upon in an emergency, and I consider that all praise is due to them for the good work which they did during that trying period.
I am glad to say that there has been very little sickness among the staff during the year, in spite of the climate, and the still more trying nature of the work in which they are engaged.
It will be seen from the table given on page 4 of the populations of the several health districts of the City of Victoria, how impossible it is for the present staff of Inspectors of Nuisances to exercise any very close supervision over the homes and habits of the Chinese, and in August last, I urged upon the Sanitary Board the necessity for obtaining at least two additional Inspectors of Nuisances for the city, so that these health districts might be somewhat reduced in size; the recommendation was adopted by the Board and subsequently received the sanction of the Government and of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and it is hoped that these additional men will arrive early in 1897.
The following is a list of the Inspectors. of Nuisances at present in the employ of the Board :-
Senior Inspector.
Mr. J. R. GERMAIN.
"
""
123 THOS
No. 1 Health District,......Mr. L. BRETT.
No. 7 Health District,.
.Mr. F. FISHER.
J. T. COTTON.
37
}}
"}
11
J. R. GRIMBLE.
8 9
J. J. CLERIREW.
31
}}
D. MCALLISTER.
"
""
!
GEO. BURNETT.
10
Jonn RennieE.
;)
37
..
""
1)
})
""
5
JOHN REIDIE.
11
}}
??
>>
6
THOS. HORE.
12
17
}}
>>
"1
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No. 13 Health District Mr. PETER McNab.
DANIEL HALL.
JOHN HANNAH.
I append a sketch plan of the present and also one of the proposed Health Districts of the city of Victoria, mortality tables and a series of diagrams which have been prepared by Mr. Hugn McCallum in continuation of the former series, and a copy of the Registrar General's return of deaths for the year 1896,
and have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
- FRANCIS W. CLARK.