528 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION H. 



metropolis. The gradual extension of sewers has to a very large 

 extent abolished the cesspit nuisance and the antiquated and 

 abominable system of cleansing. Almost every street within the 

 city bounrlaries has been provided with a sewer and the facilities 

 afibrded for carrying otf quickly all offensive matter has in a 

 measure contributed to the comparatively low death rate of the 

 city.. The total length of sewers laid in the latter is sixty-one 

 and three-quarter miles. 



The removal of house refuse has been for a considerable time 

 worked in a systematic method, but the manner of disposal leaves 

 room for considerable improvement. 



Various low-lying areas in the eastern and western sides of the 

 city, which in former years were hot beds of disease, have been 

 reclaimed and formed into parks, thereby increasing the lungs of 

 the city. 



The change in the character of the buildings in the last twenty 

 yeai's is worthy of note. It might, in all truth be said, that 

 during that period Sydney has been re -built. The main 

 thoroughfares have entirely changed — scores of small tenements 

 have been absorbed by large spacious warehouses, offices, &o. 

 The various places or courts, ill-drained, badly ventilated and 

 fever-breeding haunts, have, with few exceptions, disappeared. 

 On the western side of the city this change is gradually taking 

 place. 



The facilities for traffic have increased greatly. From published 

 returns it appears there are about one hundred miles of streets in 

 the city to cleainse, for which a small army of scavengers is required ; 

 this work is reduced to a system and materially contributes towards 

 maintaining the public health. The introduction of improved road- 

 ways will no doubt in time exercise considerable influence on 

 the health of the community ; the question should be considered 

 from a sanitary as well as a constructive standpoint. 



The death-rate of the city for the past fifteen years as compared 

 with the suburbs is very marked. Tlie mean rate being — city, 

 23.37 per 1,000 ; suburbs, 18.00 per 1,000, a difference of 5.37 per 

 1,000. When the yearly rate is observed it will be seen that in the 

 years 1885-86 the death rate of the city was .67 per 1,000 and 

 3.98 per 1,000 respectively lower than the suburbs. The city 

 having a higher standard of health than the suburbs may be 

 accounted for in several ways : — 



(a) Increase of Population. — The city has, in sixteen years, 

 increased 57,353 ; suburbs 140,778 or 2.5 times more. 

 The decrease in Sydney owing to absorption of tenements 

 for business purposes has added to the suburbs. 



