HH62/45/243

Transcription

[Page] 8

BURGH DEATH-RATES.

[Table inserted]

In the Table for the County it will be seen that, with slight fluctuations, the
Death-rate has been steadily improving, and, if the rate for 1895 be compared with
that for 1891, an improvement of 8.9 per cent. is found to have taken place. In the
Death-rates for the Burghs, not only has no improvement taken place, but there has
been a slight increase, and, taking into consideration the very similar circumstances
of the populations resident in the Landward Districts and the Burghs, expecially
when it is remembered that the former include many large villages, the excess in the
Death-rate in the Burghs seems to be abnormally high. As the Burgh of Auchter-
arder is only of recent origin, the rates for it have not been included in the above
Tables.
During 1895 the long-looked-for water supply to the east Carse of Gowrie was
completed, and is giving satisfaction to those dependent on it. The Perth District
Committee have at present a requisition under consideration for a water supply to
the Village of Errol and the remaining portion of the Parish of Errol which is
not properly supplied with water. The water supply to Almondbank has also been
carried out, and is giving complete satisfaction. Water supplies for Scone and
Bankfoot have been subjects of consideration by the Perth District Committee, and
there is a prospect of works for the same being completed at an early date.
In the Central District the scheme for supplying Madderty and the adjacent
districts with water has received much attention, but so far nothing has been settled.
It is to be hoped, however, that the Special Water District will soon be formed, as
the need for a proper water supply for the district is urgent.
In the Eastern District the supply of good water for the Villages of Woodside
and Burrelton has engaged the attention both of the Local Authority and the
residents; an attempt was made to rectify two of the wells in the latter place, but
the results have not been encouraging, as the water proved no better for all the
money spent in attempting to prevent it from contamination. The Rosemount

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Special Water District still exists without the water supply for which it was formed,
and the Eastern District Committee should endeavour to secure a supply from some
other source if it cannot be had from the Blairgowrie supply.
Drainage schemes for the Villages of Stanley, Bankfoot, and Methven in the
Perth District have been considered by the District Committee, and, as in all
drainage is urgently necessary, it is to be hoped some definite steps will be taken at
an early date.
In the Central District the upkeep of the drainage in the Village of Dunning
has been undertaken by the District Committee, so that for the present the dangers
alluded to from its being neglected, have been averted. The drainage of the Village
of Comrie is still in an unsatisfactory condition, and it is to be hoped that the
inhabitants will, during 1896, take the necessary steps for having it made into a
Special Drainage District.
In the Highland District the drainage of Pitlochry has been under consideration
both as regards the liability of flooding in the lower portion of the village during
heavy rains, and the want of sufficient land for the proper treatment of the sewage of
the village. Improvements in both these points will commence at an early date.
In the Western District the drainage of the Village of Killin has received much
attention, and it is expected that at the next meeting of the Committee the plans
will be approved, and the works authorised to be commenced forthwith.
Under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1894, two cleansing areas have
been formed in the Highland District - one for Pitlochry, and the other for Dunkeld.
In connection with the forming of the latter much feeling was manifested, and finally
the Highland District Committee took the management of the area out of the hands
of the members of the Parish Council (who were at first entrusted with the manage-
ment), and appointed members of the District Committee to carry out the provisions
of the Act. In connection with the scavenging of villages under the Local
Authorities of the Perth, Central, and Western Districts, nothing but praise can be
given. The work is well done, the cost is moderate, and the resulting improvement
on the condition of the villages is manifest to the most casual observer. This
improvement is best seen in some of the villages in the Perth District, and is amply
proved to be real by the decreased Death-rate.
Pollution of Rivers. - During the past year, although no actual works were
completed in connection with the prevention of the discharge of sewage into rivers,
the various District Committees interested have by no means neglected the responsi-
bilities imposed on them by the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act. Preliminaries
have occupied much time, but there is every prospect of satisfactory works being
erected at the outfalls of the sewers of Methven, Scone and Stanley in the Perth
District, Aberfeldy and Dunkeld in the Highland District, Aberfoyle and Killin in
the Western District, and Rattray in the Eastern District, during 1896.
In the Central District, through resignations and death of local Sanitary
Inspectors, the work of the Department has been much impeded. As the local
Inspectors were insufficiently paid, the Committee have under consideration the
advisability of appointing one Inspector for the whole District, on the same
lines as in the Highland and Eastern Districts. Of the fact that this is the
most efficient and cheapest method of accomplishing the work of the Department
there can be no doubt, and it is to be hoped that the Committee will decide
accordingly.
Sale of Food and Drugs Act. - This Act continues to be administered by
the County Police.

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