HH62/45/381

Transcription

[Note] 380

Eastern District.

The population of the Eastern District, estimated to the middle of 1897, was
9375. During the year there were 222 Births (112 males and 110 females) and 145
Deaths registered, giving a Birth-rate of 23.68, and a Death-rate of 15.46, as
compared with a Birth-rate of 24.06 and a Death-rate of 13.72 in 1896. The Natural
Increase of the population during 1897 was 77, as compared with 98 in 1896. There
were 75 deaths in persons over 60 years of age, and 21 children under 1 year died
during 1897, 8 of the latter deaths being attributed to Developmental Causes
giving an Infantile Mortality of 94.5, as against 78.9 in 1896.
The Zymotic Death-rate was .640 during 1897, as compared with .633 in 1896,
the number of deaths from these diseases in both years being the same.
The general health of the Eastern District has been satisfactory during the past
year.
During the year an excellent water supply was introduced into the combined
villages of Burrelton and Woodside. The water is of good quality, and the quantity
is largely in excess of the requirements of the inhabitants.
Rosemount Special Water District seems now to be in a fair way to obtain its
long-deferred water supply during the coming summer. Many sources for supplying
water to this District were considered, but it has been finally settled that as there
was plenty of water to spare from the supply to Blairgowrie Burgh, the Rosemount
District should avail itself of that on payment of a small assessment. As the estimated
cost of distributing the water through the District has been shown by Mr. Baxter,
Dundee, to be reasonable, it looks as if, after its many ups and downs, the Rosemount
Water District were to come out very well.
In the Report for last year it was mentioned that the Commissioners of the
Burgh of Rattray had decided to carry the sewage of the burgh into the Blairgowrie
main sewer. This very sensible idea had been departed from, and several schemes for
the draining of the burgh considered, but so far no plans have been laid before the
Eastern District Committee for approval, nor have any works been commenced The
laying of the plans before the District Committee is not a necessary part of the
burgh's proceedings, but as the efficacy of the measures adopted to purify the sewage
before its discharge into the River Ericht will certainly be made a subject of careful
enquiry by the Committee, this course would be advisable. The prevention of the
pollution of the Ericht by the Rattray sewage has been too long under consideration.
It is high time that the Eastern District took steps to have the matter finally settled
by the Sheriff.
2. General enquiries have been made during the year to ascertain the condition
of the District, and many special enquiries have been necessitated in connection with
complaints as to alleged nuisances, and the outbreak of infectious diseases.
3. Advice was given in regard to proposed water supplies, drainage schemes, and
the arrangements for securing accommodation for cases of infectious disease in the
Perth Royal Infirmary. No certificates have been necessary under the Public Health
Acts. The Eastern District Committee during the past year appointed the Chief
Medical Officer and Sanitary Inspector Inspectors under the Factory and Workshops

[Note] 381