HH62/45/153

Transcription

[Note] 152

Highland District.

The Highland District has steadily maintained its course of improvement in
sanitary matters during 1893. This is testified by a reduced Death-Rate, and a low
Infantile and Zymotic Mortality. Until close to the end of the year there was
a remarkable freedom from infectious disease in the District.
The Sanitary Condition of the District has been carefully attended to by the
assistant Sanitary Inspector, who has abundantly proved that it is the best plan to
employ one man for this work, and it is a great relief to the minds of those at
headquarters to know that orders will be carried out at once, and in a business-like
manner.
During the year the Pitlochry scavenger has been authorised to do private
scavenging when requested, and thus a felt want has been met.
A complaint was lodged regarding the alleged pollution of the Moulin Burn by
the discharge of sewage into it, but it was found on enquiry that the means adopted
to purify the sewage before its discharge were working most efficiently, and that any
pollution which existed was due to the emptying of all manner of refuse into the Burn
by those living in the vicinity. The remedy for this would be to have the Pitlochry
Drainage District extended to as to embrace the village of Moulin, when sewerage
and scavenging would be provided.
The question of preventing the pollution of the River Tay by the discharge into it
of crude sewage, was brought under the consideration of the District Committee
by a communication from the County Finance Committee, requesting a report on
what could be done to remedy the infringement of the Act, as noticed in the Medical
Officer's Annual Report for 1891, and specially directing attention to the pollution caused
by Aberfeldy and Dunkeld. With regard to Aberfeldy, as it is a Burgh, the District
committee could only call upon the Local Authority to take measures to purify the
sewage before discharging it into the River. At first a plea of prescription was
advanced, on the allegation that the drainage of the town was run into the Tay before
the Rivers Pollution Prevention Act was passed, and when it was found that this
plea would not save the erection of the best available method of purifying the effluent
before its discharge, a new plea was tendered, viz., that there was no pollution caused
by the discharge of the sewage, and that the River water was not used for domestic
purposes for a long distance below Aberfeldy. Both of these statements having
been disproved, the Burgh Authority finally agreed to take such steps as would
effectually remove the complaint, and is is fully expected that the necessary purifi-
cation works will be erected, and in operation, during 1894.
The pollution of the Tay by the sewage of Dunkeld was a matter within the
jurisdiction of the District Committee, and a Sub-Committee was appointed along
with the Sanitary Officers to examine and report on the best means of preventing it.
At first a plea was brought forward that there could be no pollution caused by the
drainage of Dunkeld, as there was nothing offensive put into the drains; however, this
was found not to be the case, and on examination it was seen that the works necessary for
purification could be easily carried out. A Report, and Specification for the same,
being lodged by Mr. Ritchie, C.E., Perth, objection was raised to the proposed works

[Note] 153