HH62/1/FIFE/11

Transcription

[page] 10

foreshore. At West Wemyss there is a Drainage system, but there is
necessity for its further extension, and improvements being made on the
side gutters, which are defective in many places. The drains from
houses in many cases do not connect with the main sewers, and when
they do connect there is no proper means adopted to interrupt the
passage of sewage gas into the houses, in contravention of Section 82
of the Public Health Act, which provides that "All sewers or drains,
whether public or private, shall be provided by the persons to whom
they severally belong with proper traps or other coverings, or means of
ventilation, so as to prevent stench or deleterious exhalation." A Special
Drainage District for Windygates and Balcurvie has been defined, but
the Local Authority have not meanwhile taken the necessary steps for
carrying out the drainage scheme. Drainage for Balcurvie and Windy-
gates is most urgently needed, as the villages are in a most insanitary
state from this want at the present time.
Coaltown of Balgonie, Thornton, Binnend, and Kinglassie, may be
mentioned as prominent examples where drainage is much needed; but
there are many other populous places in the district whose wants in this
respect will yet have to be considered. In Cupar District there is no
Special Drainage or Drainage District, and important places like Strath-
miglo, Kettle, Ceres, Springfield, and Freuchie are quite unprovided
with the means for sufficient drainage. The objections which may with
reason be taken to this state of matters are increased enormously by
the fact that all these places are supplied with water from shallow wells,
with the exception of Freuchie. A sewer pipe with cement joints is not
a desirable thing to be near a well for domestic water supply; but what
can be thought of the near proximity of a roughly laid gutter which acts
as a drain for sewage matters, or of a state of affairs where there is no
provision for drainage at all, and where all kinds of refuse and
excremental matters are thrown anywhere without regard to the near
presence of the domestic water supply. These states fairly represent
the condition of nearly all the villages in Cupar District.
In St Andrews District there is a Special Drainage District at
Colinsburgh; but in no other village in the District is there any means
for sufficient drainage. At St Monance, Upper and Lower Largo, I
have reported to the District Committee of the necessity for sewerage
systems; but Leuchars and Guardbridge also stand much in need of
sewers and drains.

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STATEMENTS OF ENQUIRIES AND PROCEEDINGS, AND
OF THE MATTERS REGARDING WHICH ADVICE HAS
BEEN GIVEN.

To treat this section fully would be to repeat what will be found
in the District Reports, but to conform with regulations, I append
a synopsis of my enquiries, proceedings, and advice given.

[table inserted]

The matters which fall to be considered under Sections 3 and 4
are referred to under the District's Reports, and therefore need not
again be considered.

SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACT.

This Act has been a dead letter in the past, and I am sorry to say
that up to this nothing has been done in any of the Districts to put the
provisions of the Act in operation to detect adulteration of food and
drugs, and to secure punishment of offenders. There can be little
doubt that there is a great need for supervision being exercised over the
articles which come under the Act; and next year, when more leisure
occurs than has been in the short period since the various Sanitary
Officers were appointed, I have no doubt a good record will be shown
of careful attention to this most important Act. I also hope that Sani-
tary Inspectors will be instructed to secure samples of milk for analysis,
as this also is a most important duty.

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