TOWN SANITATION. 703 
The towns above described are fairly typical of every township 
of moderate size in South Australia. The facts stated concerning 
them raise almost every question of a general character that is 
touched upon in public hygiene. To utilise these facts it will be 
needful to present a summarised review of them. This may be 
done under the five following divisions :— 
The work already accomplished. 
Natural difficulties. 
Obvious defects. 
Local Health Boards. 
The Health Acts. 
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1.—THE WORK ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED. 
The leading Health Act upon which all sanitary progress has 
rested was passed in 1873, that is, 16 years ago. In that Act 
civic bodies formed the local sanitary authorities. Two years ago 
the Act was amended so as to include district councils as local 
health boards. The territorial jurisdiction of the Central Board 
by this extension to district councils became greatly circum- 
scribed. Sufficient time has not elapsed to declare the wisdom or 
otherwise by the Central and local boards of this step. The work 
done during these 16 years has been most varied and beneficial. 
The existence in itself of an active and fairly-organised system of 
sanitary inspection has had a valuable educational influence upon 
the public mind. In this connection the Central Board of Health 
must be credited with a large amount of steady perseverance and 
real tact. 
The record of facts already presented in this report shows that 
local sanitary authorities have pushed on the filling-in of all 
swampy and low-lying portions of their respective towns. Old 
land-marks, around which only too frequently converge insanitary 
conditions, have been taken out of the way. Streets of good 
width have been systematically laid out. They have been well 
macadamised, and finished with water-tables and kerbing of a 
substantial nature. Buildings consisting chiefly of stone, or of 
brick, have been erected, and all with more or less regard to 
hygienic conditions. 
A considerable amount of attention has been given to supplying 
pure water for domestic purposes. Large and expensive reser- 
voirs have been constructed at Hope Valley and Thornden Park, 
which, while furnishing a supply for the city of Adelaide, also 
serves Port Adelaide. Smaller reservoirs have been formed for 
Port Pirie and Port Augusta, and a deep well and a large tank 
have been made to meet the requirements of Gawler. The Burra 
authorities have taken advantage of an old mine from which to 
draw a wholesome and ample supply. 
