TOWN SANITATION. 699 
merely with the local authority, but with the Government also, 
and the full petition was granted. Under such circumstances, 
all nuisances created by this manufacturing district are absolutely 
without control. It may be urged that the power of inspection 
remains to the Central Board ; but without the power of enforcing 
its orders, inspection is to little purpose. 
Port Augusta. 
This town is situated (on the map) at the apex of Spencer's 
Gulf. It is distant about 240 miles from Adelaide. It possesses 
a fine harbour, and is regarded as the coming metropolis of the 
north. On the completion of the railway system, which will 
connect South Australia with every colony, all the lines will con- 
verge to it. The population is just under 2000. The site is low 
and difficult to drain. It has a sandy soil, with a sub-layer of 
clay. It is laid out rectangularly, and the streets are mostly 
formed and well-paved, with properly-constructed water-tables. 
The buildings generally are substantial. The water supply is 
fair, being obtained from a reservoir some 14 miles off. An 
attempt is made to dispose of the foul water by leading it into a 
number of deep subsidence wells. This is said to answer fairly. 
Until recently these wells were not ventilated. In numerous 
parts of the town the people are still permitted to throw refuse 
water on the surrounding soil, which being of a sandy nature 
allows the water to disappear readily. In hot weather, however, 
the state of the soil brought about by this practice is unquestion- 
ably the cause of numerous cases of intestinal inflammation among 
children. A moderately efficient system of scavenging is in 
operation, but the objectionable custom of filling up hollows with 
dry rubbish is still followed. Privy-cesspools are practically 
abolished in favour of the dry-earth system. No organised super- 
vision of the system by the corporation exists as yet, and conse- 
quently it is attended with nothing more than partial success. 
The excreta are removed weekly, and buried outside the town in 
trenches. Notwithstanding the large possibilities that exist for 
improvement, the town is remarkably healthy, having a death- 
rate of 13 to the 1000. 
Gawler. 
Gawler is situated 25 miles north of Adelaide, in close 
proximity to the main northern line. Its population numbers 
2000, and its houses 400. It occupies partly the face of a hill 
and partly a flat. The arrangement of the streets is rectangular. 
It is the centre of an agricultural district and the seat of the 
famous foundry and machine-shop of Messrs. James Martin and 
Co. The natural drainage is good. The soil is limestone in 
