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6 (23). "Sanitary Regulations for Premises used for Sale, etc. of Food for Human Consumption."—
This clause does not go far enough. Power should be given to the County Council to make
by-laws with respect to places where food is prepared for sale, and so to "require the removal of
conditions which are likely to give rise to contamination" of food at such places, including hotel
kitchens and restaurants. The by-laws would be applicable to bakehouses. By-laws for such
purposes cannot be deemed less necessary than by-laws as to " paving and draining of stables."
7 (52). This clause relating to payment of fines has been transferred to Part VIII.
8 (22). "Prohibiting sorting or sifting of House Refuse by Hand."—The disgusting practice, in
which women are sometimes employed, "under most objectionable and unsatisfactory conditions,"
should undoubtedly be prohibited.
At the present writing the Bill has passed the second reading in the House of Commons,
and been referred to the Police and Sanitary Committee.
THE WORK OF THE SANITARY INSPECTORS.
The Sanitary Inspecting Staff comprises a chief inspector, ten male inspectors, and two lady
inspectors of workshops, workplaces and laundries where women are employed. The table at page
72 contains a summary of the work of the male inspectors (so far as it admits of tabulation) in
their several districts, of which six are in North Kensington; i.e., north of High Street, Notting
Hill and Holland Park Avenue; and four in South Kensington, three of them to the south of
Kensington High Street and Kensington Road; the remaining district lying between the principal
thoroughfares named. The work of the inspectors is carried out under the supervision of the
Public Health Committee, the Council having conferred on that body authority to enforce the
provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the Housing of the Working Classes Acts,
1890-1903, and the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901.
Supervision of underground work, reconstruction and trapping of drains, being, at present,
exercised by the Borough Engineer, information on the subject must be sought in that officer's
report. A considerable number of drains were voluntarily reconstructed by the owners or occupiers
of houses, after the deposit of plans for the approval of the Public Health Committee. Particulars
on this head also will be found in the Borough Engineer's report.
Written Intimations of nuisances were served by the inspectors to the number of 2,433.
As a result of these intimations, many works of sanitary amendment were carried out forthwith,
thus realising the object of the legislature, and obviating, in many instances, the necessity forservice
of statutory notices. In the intimation form a red ink note authorises the person liable to abate a
nuisance, to make what, for convenience, may be called an "appeal" to the Committee, against the
requirements of the sanitary inspector. Appeal, which is of rare occurrence, usually takes the form
of an application for an extension of the time specified for carrying out works. Statutory Notices
for the abatement of nuisances to the number of 682, were issued by direction of the Committee;
and 1,330 notices under the by-laws for houses let in lodgings.
Legal Proceedings.—In 30 cases proceedings were instituted: in 8 instances for offences
under the by-laws for registered houses, the fines inflicted amounting to £4; in two cases for
failure to remove manure periodically, the fines amounting to £2 10s.; in 13 cases for
non-compliance with the Council's notices, fines to the amount of £18 being inflicted; in one case
for removing offensive matter during prohibited hours, a fine of £5; and in five cases for carrying out
alterations to soilpipes without giving due notice, fines amounting to £3 being inflicted; in one
case, for failing to comply with magistrates' order, a fine of £3 being inflicted. The fines, in all,
amounted to £35 10s.