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might be anticipated, especially associated with particular parts of the district, and could be dealt with
by the registration of the houses concerned and the systematic application to them of bylaws regulating
houses let in lodgings.
Defects in connection with water-closets were not uncommon. I found one water-closet choked,
5 instances of broken water-closet pans, one instance of total absence of fittings for the supply of
water, 36 instances in which the flushing apparatus was out of order, 16 foul pans, 9 instances in
which the flush of water was inadequate, and 3 instances of broken water-closet seats. A great deal of
work has, however, been accomplished within the last two years in connection with water-closets. In a
large number of instances improved forms 'of apparatus, which comply with the new by-laws of the
Council, have been substituted in place of old or defective forms of apparatus.
Other defects noted are dampness of walls of rooms (18); defective yard paving (21); defective
roofs (9) ; defective traps in yards and cellars (9); defective sink wastes (3); defective rain-water pipes
or eaves guttering (10); and a stopped yard drain. In a large number of instances there was evidence
that the work of replacing old and defective traps by syphon traps, and of disconnecting sink waste
pipes from direct communication with the drain, had been effected within the last two years.
I found nine instances of overcrowding, i.e., more people in a room than would allow 300 cubic
feet of air space per head in rooms used exclusively for sleeping purposes, and 350 cubic feet in rooms
not used exclusively for sleeping purposes, two children under 10 being reckoned as one adult.*
As an instance of the class of property requiring much supervision I may quote the following—
Mary-buildings, Devonshire-street—A court, approached from Devonshire-street by an unpaved
passage-way, containing eight two-storey houses, each of which has two rooms and a back addition
room. The drains have recently been under reconstruction.
No. 1—In the upper room (capacity rather more than 800 cubic feet) sleep man, wife, two girls
over 10 years of age, and a young child. Roof defective, house dirty and in bad state of repair.
No. 2—Ceiling of back addition room defective, house dirty and in bad state of repair.
Nos. 3 and 4—No admission.
No. 5—In the upper room (capacity about 800 cubic feet) sleep man, wife, and five children.
House dirty and in bad state of repair.
No. 6—No overcrowding here. Paper falling off walls in back addition room.
No. 7—Upstairs room cubic capacity less than 800 cubic feet. Three adults sleep here.
In the poorer parts of the central ward too I found evidence of the existence of conditions
similar to the above. A good example of the improvement which can be effected in a very bad neighbourhood
by the exercise of much perseverance is afforded by Knott-street, a street in this locality
which has lately taken up much of the time of the vestry's officers.
I visited 99 workshops, and found that with one exception all had been noted and dealt with by
the inspectors. In one instance I found a workshop overcrowded. Separate watercloset accommodation
had been provided in accordance with section 38 of the Public Health (London) Act, in cases
where persons of the two sexes were employed.
In Mr. Taylor's annual report for the year 1893, a table is given showing particulars for each
workshop in the district as to position, trade carried on, number of workers for which the cubical
capacity of the workroom is adapted, dates of inspection, condition of the workshop at the times of
inspection, and work carried out during the year under the provisions of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891. Mr. Taylor observes that in 1892 he and his officers were endeavouring to carry out the
duty of inspecting workshops, and, he continues, " since then great progress has been made as
regards discovering the location of most of the workshops in our district, and also in organising
systematic inspections, and in keeping a record of work done in connection therewith ; as will be seen by
the detailed report, the major portion of them are in the west ward district, for which Mr. Twaits is
inspector. The objects of inspection are, viz., (1) seeing that all workshops are kept in a cleanly
state; (2) the detection of overcrowding; (3) the provision of suitable sanitary conveniences for both
sexes. The whole of the workshops on our register is now over 200, and they have been inspected twice
during the past year, in a number of instances various orders for cleansing and the abatement of overcrowding,
&c., have been enforced."
The great alteration which has been effected in the condition of the west ward of Mile End
affords striking testimony to the care with which the method of dealing with these places has been
thought out, and to the energy and ability with which it has been carried into execution by the inspector.
The large amount of improvement which has been effected in streets such as Plumber's-row, Yalfordstreet
and Greenfield-street, streets in which almost every house contains a workshop, could hardly
have been so speedily and successfully accomplished unless there had also been in many instances a
readiness on the part of occupiers of the workshops and owners of the houses to meet the requirements
of the law.
An organised attempt has been made in Mile End to carry out the order of the Secretary of State,
of November, 1892, relating to outworkers in particular trades. In the early part of 1893 a circular
letter was sent out to all employers of labour in the specified trades in Mile End. As result 620
addresses of outworkers were obtained, the addresses belonging to adjoining parishes were sent to the
various sanitary authorities concerned, the premises situated in Mile End, 377 in number, were visited and
reported upon. Mr. Taylor remarks, " One may regard this work as serving a very useful purpose to the
community at large, as it ensures their wearing apparel being made in cleanly and properly ventilated
workrooms ; and, in the event of infectious diseases taking place in these houses, we are enabled to
communicate the fact directly to the employers, and so proper precautions can be taken before the
clothing is either sent to the shop or sold to the public." He adds, " I find that we are one of a very
few of the authorities that have made any attempt to grapple with this work." Mr. Taylor comments,
however, upon the considerable amount of the time of the inspectors taken up by this duty, and observes
*These are the limits imposed in the regulations made by the vestry under the Sanitary Act of 1866.