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154
1900]
separate or additional accommodation for the sexes. There has been, I am afraid, a tendency
on the part of some employers to overlook these things until they have been compelled by the
service of a notice, when they feel aggrieved at having, after escaping for a long period, to
improve the sanitary condition of their premises, whilst others comply readily with our request.
I am looking forward in the coming year to a much greater improvement in this direction.
Register.—In the past year 141 workshops, containing 492 workrooms, which have been
measured, have been added to the Register, making a total of 451.
Smoke Nuisances.—I find that 996 calls have been made by me to various localities in the
Borough during the above-mentioned time for the purpose of taking observations of smoke
from chimneys of factories and workshops, and have reported thereon. This has occasioned
the serving of 48 notices by me upon the occupiers, three of which have been prosecuted and
fired to the amount of five pounds and costs in each case. I should like to take advantage of
this opportunity to draw your attention to the great amount of time which is spent by me in
carrying out this necessary but arduous duty. It entails many hours of labour, which means
that other important work has to be allowed to stand and wait, and at the same time very little
to show in my report in return for the time which has been spent upon it.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
GEORGE WEST,
Inspector of Workshops.
SMOKE NUISANCES.
In addition to the inspection of Factories and Workshops it was also Inspector
West's duty to make observation of smoke nuisances. This has entailed
996 visits to various parts of the borough for the purpose of this special work.
These observations entailed the service of 48 notices, which resulted in
three prosecutions, and the infliction of three fines, each of five pounds and costs.
Apart from these formal notices the inspector has had personal interviews in very
many instances with the heads of offending firms.
This work is a very necessary one and requires much more time than Inspector
West is able to devote to it. Indeed, it is only bare justice to him to state that he
has ungrudgingly given up many hours after five o'clock, when his day's work
should usually cease, in making observations which can only be made at night.
INSPECTION OF BAKEHOUSES.
The importance of the inspection of bakehouses where the principal food of
human beings is made is self-evident. This work also devolved on Inspector West,
who has discharged his duty in a most satisfactory manner. Altogether, there are
273 such places in Islington, of which 166 or 60.8 per cent. are situated either
entirely or partly under the level of the street or ground. Of these 273 there are
22 which are not at present in use, but which are, nevertheless, regularly visited,
because it has been found that notwithstanding the provisions of the Factory Act
that it shall not be lawful to use a place under ground as a bakehouse unless it