HH62/45/299

Transcription

[Page] 8

The following tables shew at a glance the various death-rates in the County
Districts and Burghs during the past five years:-

LANDWARD DEATH-RATES.

[Table inserted]

BURGH DEATH-RATES.

[Table inserted]

It will be seen that the Burghs have actually begun to make some progress
healthwards during 1896, and there is no reason why the Death-Rates of these
should not compare favourably with those of the surrounding county, as, with ample
powers to enforce sanitary measures, the Burgh Local Authorities are much more
favourably situated than their rural brethren.

[Note] 298

[Page] 9

Most of the large Water-Supply Schemes in the County of Perth have now
been grappled with. After a stiff fight the Wester Errol Special Water District
has been formed, and it is now only a matter of carrying out the work; when
this has been done the Carse of Gowrie will be one of the best watered parts of the
County.
Scone has at last decided to forsake its polluted wells, and the inhabitants are
now crying out for gravitation water; had it not been that appeals were lodged
against some of the boundaries of the District, doubtless considerable progress would
have ere this been made with the work. However, as there is now a prospect of
opposition being withdrawn, steps will soon be taken to bring in a plentiful supply of
good water for the village, which already shows signs of becoming a thriving place.
Bankfoot still hesitates about sending a requisition for forming the village into
a Special Water District, and meanwhile its grim record of malignant typhoid fever
and consequent death continues. Both water and drainage are urgently required in
order to put the village into a sanitary condition, and it is high time that from such
places, heedless of their own safety as well as that of the surrounding country, the
power of initiating proceedings for the introduction of water and drainage
should be taken and given to the District Committee, so that when the
necessity arises the body responsible for the administration of Public Health
Acts could take the measures best calculated to ensure the safety of those under
their care.
The Madderty Water District had to be abandoned by the Central District
Committee owing to the opposition with which its formation was met, first by one
portion of the inhabitants and then by another; but as instructions were given to the
Sanitary Inspector to see that all parts of the intended District were provided with
a supply of pure water, much valuable work has been already done, and many estates
have procured, or are in course of procuring, supplies of water, and so far as the
health aspects of the District are concerned, the results will be the same as if the
Special Water District had been proceeded with.
In the Eastern District the villages of Burreltown and Woodside have been
formed into a Special Water District, and as there is a plentiful supply of good
water available near the villages, it is anticipated that the necessary works may be
completed at an early date.
The Rosemount Water District is still without a supply of water, and its cir-
cumstances have received considerable attention during the past year, the conclusion
arrived at being, that although several other sources of water for the District are
available, the most reasonable plan is that the Blairgowrie Special Water District
should be extended so as to embrace Rosemount. Were this done the difficulty
would soon be solved, as it has been shown by the Engineers' Reports that there
is ample water for all purposes going into Blairgowrie.
In Methven, the drainage of which is in an unsatisfactory condition, the inhabit-
ants devoted some consideration to what should be done to improve matters, but after
mature deliberation, they reported to the District Committee that a proper drainage
scheme for the village could not be worked without a gravitation water supply, and thus
the matter rests for the present. How, in the face of such a statement, the present
stone-built drains in the village can work properly, and be as perfect as represented
by some of the inhabitants, passes understanding. If the want of gravitation water
be the only objection to the introduction of what is essential to the sanitary improve-
ment of the village, why not form it into a Special Water District? There is an
abundant supply of good water within a reasonable distance at a sufficient height for

[Note] 299