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VI. THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST 
MOSQUITOES IN BATHURST 
In the early part of November, a preliminary report upon the sources of 
mosquitoes in Bathurst was submitted to His Excellency the Acting Governor, 
H. M. Brandford-Griffith, Esq. In this report the mosquito breeding-places of 
Bathurst were described, and methods applicable for their extermination were discussed ; 
it was pointed out that the inauguration of a crusade against mosquitoes in Bathurst 
offered every hope of success, and at the same time, it was urged that any measures 
adopted in this direction should be of a permanent nature, and considered part of the 
sanitary work of the town. 
On November 5, His Excellency very kindly gave the colonial surgeon, 
Dr. R. M. Forde, and myself an opportunity of discussing with him the various 
matters referred to in the report. At this meeting I was informed of the desire on 
the part of the Colonial Government to enter upon a crusade against the mosquito, 
and to undertake the necessary work. Soon after this date the plan of campaign was 
arranged; Mr. Thomas, the sanitary inspector, was selected for the part of 'anti- 
mosquito ' inspector, and received special instruction in the work ; an assistant 
inspector was appointed to take his place for the ordinary sanitary duties. A gang of 
ten of the sanitary board labourers, including one head-man, was appointed for special 
duty, and one of the sanitary carts was set aside for the work. 
It was decided, in the first instance, to remove all the old tins, pots, and other 
rubbish from all yards and compounds ; to this end notice was posted up throughout 
the town, informing the people of the nature of the work and inviting their co-operation 
and help. 
On November 18, the preliminary removal of rubbish from the various com- 
pounds began. The work was started in Wellington Street, where most of the large 
trading stores are situated. At the outset the progress was slow, as the process of 
ridding these large business premises of discarded tin boxes and bottles took some 
time, in fact, at some of the factories it required two days to accomplish. After 
Wellington Street had been depleted of rubbish the work progressed more rapidly, 
from many of the compounds the natives had collected their old tins and pots and 
placed them in readiness for the sanitary carts, though, as was to be expected, it was 
found that many such-like articles were left behind in odd corners. 
The rubbish thus collected from the compounds was utilized to fill in a deep 
g 
