HH62/45/147

Transcription

[Note] 146

Central District.

There has been a steady improvement in the sanitary condition of the Central
District during the year 1893. The villages continue to derive much benefit from the
labours of the scavengers, although it will require some years for the soil formerly polluted
by the organic filth of years to return to its natural condition, and for the improvement
to make itself evident in a permanently lowered Death-Rate. The Death-Rate for 1893
was 17.81, against 17.47 in 1892, but the mortality under one year was 42, giving a
rate of 125.748 to the 1000 Births, against 71.20 in 1892. During the past year the
excessive drought caused great want of water in several parts of the District, but, in
one instance at least, there was evidence that the water was largely used for watering
gardens instead of being properly utilised. Several Slaughter-Houses were inspected,
a consequence of complaints being received that they were annoying the people in their
vicinity by the condition in which they were kept. In most instances the complaints
were not without reason; the Slaughter-Houses were badly kept, and the inevitable
piggery attached, in which the animals fed on offal, made the nuisance worse than it
otherwise would have been. Considerable improvement has been effected in connection
with them, but it will require the strict application of the Bye-Laws recently passed
to effectually remedy the matter.
Auchterarder still halts between the alternatives of being made eother a Burgh
or a Special Water and Drainage District, and even yet there is evidence that it will
only be under compulsion that anything will be done. As the matter at present stands,
one section of the inhabitants have requisitioned the Sheriff to have the place declared a
Burgh, whilst another section have requisitioned the Central District Committee to have
it made into a Special Water and Drainage District, and, finally, an appeal has been
lodged with the County Council against the resolution of the District Committee. As
the latter party have, however, omitted to lodge an appeal with the Sheriff within the
statutory 10 days, it is questionable if it is now competent.
Nothing has been done as yet in connection with the prevention of the pollution of
Loch Earn, by the direct discharge of the sewage of St. Fillans into it. This matter
should have early attention.
The village of Comrie shows a high Death-Rate for such a healthily-situated village,
possessing an abundant and pure water supply. In 1891 the Rate was 31.1, in 1892
18.4, in 1893 23.3 per thousand. The inhabitants should, without delay, requisition
the District Committee to form Comrie into a Special Drainage District, as, at present,
the drainage is certainly unsatisfactory, both as regards the village itself, and the
pollution of the River Earn. With increased facilities of access by rail it is to be
presumed that Comrie will become a popular resort, and it would be well that it could
show a better sanitary record.
In Braco there is a covered drain which extends about two-thirds of the length of
the main street, and, beyond this, a surface gutter, regarding the unhealthy condition of
which there have been frequent complaints, as it is used for the reception of slop water by
the people residing near, and certainly in warm weather there is good cause for com-
plaint. It would not be a serious matter to extend the drain to the top of the village,
and it is a matter which should not be allowed to stand over.

[Note] 147