( 3 2 ) 
harboured in enormous numbers the larvae of the Stegomyia fasciata, that they 
were with few exceptions unscreened, and very many in bad repair, and, further, 
having failed to find the Stegomyia in the gutters of the streets or in the 
marshes, I am of opinion that legislation is urgently needed to provide a 
properly protected water supply in order to preserve the town from another 
outbreak of yellow fever. The life history of the Stegomyia is now well known — 
it is essentially a cistern breeder. From the splendid success which has 
resulted to New Orleans from immediate rigorous screening, no time should be 
lost in protecting Belize, especially at a time when we know that yellow fever 
is present in the adjacent Republics, and that there is constant commercial 
intercourse between them and ourselves. 
The Colonial Surgeon and the Assistant Colonial Surgeon in Belize have 
already drawn attention to the necessity of legislation to deal effectively with 
the water supply. 
In the year 1894 sections 39 to 47 of Ordinance No. 29 were passed by 
the Legislative Council on the 7th day of June, and assented to on the same 
day, in Her Majesty’s name, by Sir Alfred Maloney, Governor, and were brought 
into operation on the 1st July, 1895, by Proclamation dated 29th June, 1895, 
They read as follows : — 
WATER SUPPLY. 
39. The owner of every house in process of building on the 1st day of July, 1894, or built 
after that date in the towns of Belize, Corosal and Orange Walk shall erect in connection there- 
with, and maintain in good order, a tank or tanks for the storage of rain water and capable of 
holding at least the quantity hereinafter referred to as the “ prescribed quantity.” 
40. It shall be lawful for the Central Board of Health from time to time, by notification in 
Gazette, to declare that sections 39 to 44 of the Ordinance shall be applicable to any 
other town or place, and the owner of every house in process of building on the ninetieth day 
after the date of such notification, or built at any time thereafter in such town or place, shall erect 
in connection with such house a tank or tanks for the storage of rain water, and capable of holding 
at least the quantity of water hereinafter referred to as the “prescribed quantity.” 
41. It shall be lawful for the Central Board from time to time to direct, by notification in 
Gazette , what shall be the prescribed quantity for houses in any town or place, and when made, to 
revoke and alter such direction ; and while any such direction remains in force the quantity 
specified in such direction shall be the prescribed quantity. Until otherwise directed by the Central 
Board of Health the prescribed quantity for the towns of Belize, Corosal, and Orange Walk shall 
be five imperial gallons for every square foot of flooring in each house, exclusive of any verandahs 
attached thereto. 
42. Xo tank required to be maintained under the provisions of this Ordinance shall be deemed 
to be in good order — 
(1.) If it is not connected by pipes to gutters attached to a roof or platform exposed to 
the weather. 
(2.) If such gutters or pipes are not of sufficient size to receive all the rain falling on such 
roof or platform and to convey the same to the tank, or if such gutters or pipes are not in 
good order ; or 
(3.) If the tank is not fitted with apparatus for drawing off water therefrom without 
waste ; or 
(4.) If the tank is not kept covered ; or 
(5.) If the tank is not watertight. 
43. Each owner of any house required by this Ordinance to erect and maintain a tank, who fails 
to erect a tank capable of storing the prescribed quantity of water, or who fails to maintain such tank 
in good order, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two cents for each gallon of the prescribed 
quantity of water for which he was bound to provide storage, and to a further penalty not exceeding 
five dollars for each day during which such failure shall continue after conviction. 
