HH62/1/AYR/55

Transcription

COUNTY OF AYR.

AYR DISTRICT REPORT.

This District contains thirteen parishes (not including Newton-
on-Ayr, which is within the burgh). It has an area of about
205,000 acres. Its greatest length, from the mouth of the Doon to
the extreme point in the east of the parish of Muirkirk, is about 29
miles, while the average breadth of the District may be considered
about 15 miles.
Population. - Next to the Northern District, the population of
the non-burghal part of this District is the largest in the county.
According to the census of 1891, there were 38,005 persons, being
nearly the same as in 1881. Although there is very little change in
the population all over the district, individual parishes show consider-
able fluctuation. Thus, the parish of Dalmellington had a decrease
of 1282; Auchinleck, of 479; and Coylton, of 433; while New
Cumnock parish increased 828; Ochiltree, 569; and Monkton and
Prestwick, 484.

GENERAL SANITARY CONDITION OF DISTRICT WITH
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ITS IMPROVEMENT.

This is one of the headings in the Regulations of the Board of
Supervision for the District Medical Officer's report, but it is very
difficult to give even a condensed statement of the general sanitary
condition of the district. I may state, that on visiting several
villages in the district last summer, I found them in a very insanitary
condition. This state of matters was chiefly owing to the want of
proper cleansing and scavenging, as regards the disposal of the
contents of ashpits and other refuse. THe privy and ashpit accom-
modation was usually inadequate, and where these conveniences
existed they were generally defective structurally. While those
populous places were found unsatisfactory, the more sparsely peopled
parts might be considered to be in a fair sanitary condition.