M.7
WORK DONE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
(i) Sanitary Nuisances and Contraventions of Sanitary By-laws. Appendix B shows the total number of nuisances reported, and the action taken to obtain compliance and the amount of fines. Of the total number of nuisances reported in which action was taken 80% were abated after receipt of a letter. In only 53 cases did a legal notice fail to produce compliance. Of the summonses which followed 48 secured convictions, 4 were discharged and one was abandoned.
The larger number of outstanding cases is due to the greater number of reports.
Appendix C shows the nuisances in respect of which action was taken. The duty of dealing with missing gratings, defective rain water pipes and waste-pipes, choked drains, defective floor and wall surfaces was transferred to this department from the Building Authority on 1st January, 1922. It will be noted that such cases account for nearly 50% of all nuisances reported and explain the large increase in reports over 1921. Reports of illegal cubicles are 1,000 less than in 1921, the Board have decided to permit certain limited modifications.
Appendix D shows the Health Districts from which these nuisances were reported and Appendix D (i) gives details of all prosecutions and the amount of fines inflicted.
(ii) Building Nuisances.—Appendix D line 2 shows by districts the number of nuisances under part (ii) of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance reported by this department to the Building Authority for action. These are additional to those referred to in paragraph (1) above.
(iii) Miscellaneous improvements.—Appendix D lines 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 show miscellaneous improvements effected by District Inspectors in their districts.
(iv) House cleansing. The routine work under the by-laws for the Prevention and Mitigation of Epidemic disease was carried out during the year. Appendix E shows the number of floors cleansed in the various districts and as compared with the last two years.
House cleansing is carried on continuously on five mornings a week throughout the year by our staff. Appendix F shows approximately the total number of Chinese houses liable for cleansing.
(v) Limewashing.—The usual limewashing required by the Domestic Cleanliness and Ventilation by-laws was carried out during the year. Appendix G shows the number of houses limewashed. It will be noted that owners made considerably greater use of this department's contractor.