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Special inquiries undertaken by the Public Health Department in 1899.
Sanitary administration of Kensington.—The question of the sufficiency of the staff of sanitary
inspectors in the district of Kensington was the subject of inquiry by Dr. Hamer during the year 1899.
As the result of his inquiry, Dr. Hamer came to the conclusion that the staff should be increased by the
appointment of four additional inspectors, i.e., three men and one woman, or if specialisation of work
is attempted, of five additional inspectors, i.e., "four men and one woman," and in making this estimate
Dr. Hamer did not take into account the further duties which devolve upon the Borough Council of
Kensington in November, 1900. With these views I concurred. A copy of Dr. Hamer's report was
forwarded to the Kensington Vestry, and a reply was received from the vestry explaining the views of
the vestry on the various points discussed in the report. I was instructed to comment on the reply.
The committee subsequently decided that the matter should remain in abeyance until the Borough
Council of Kensington was constituted under the London Government Act of 1899. The committee
has recently resolved to send to the borough council Dr. Hamer's report and my observations. A
copy of Dr. Hamer's report is appended to this report (see Appendix II.).
Sanitary condition of cemeteries and burial grounds.—The Council having instructed the
Public Health Committee to report as to the condition of the cemeteries and burial grounds
chiefly used by the population of the County of London, as to whether further provision for
burial is required and whether further regulation is necessary in the interests of public health
and decency, Dr. Young made enquiry into the matter and visited the various burial grounds
in and near London with the object of obtaining the necessary information. Information
obtained by Dr. Young showed that it was impossible to estimate accurately the length
of time for which the existing provision of burial ground would suffice, but it was possible
to give some indication of this length of time dependent upon different assumptions. The inquiry,
moreover, shewed that there would be advantage in steps being taken to encourage methods of interment
which aim at the speedy dissolution of the body. Dr. Young's report is appended to this report (see
Appendix III.).
London Government Act, 1899.
This Act divides the whole of London, exclusive of the City, into metropolitan boroughs, and
transfers to the borough councils, in addition to the powers previously exercised by district authorities,
certain powers previously exercised by the County Council. These powers, inter alia, are as
follows—
Power under section 28 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, of registering dairymen,
subject to the power of the London County Council to make by-laws, and in case of default to the
provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, as if the default were a default under that Act.
Powers to each borough council to enforce within their borough the by-laws and regulations for the
time being in force with respect to dairies and milk, and with respect to slaughter-houses, knacker's
yards and offensive businesses. The provisions of the Public Health (London), Act, 1891, as to default
by a local authority are to apply as if the default were a default under that Act.