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premises; for out of 142 establishments examined more than half were
found to be dirty and untidy. Only nine bakehouses in the whole
parish were in a really good and satisfactory condition; forty-six
others were in fairly good order, and shewed only a few minor
defects; but no less than seventy-one were in a more or less uncleanly
condition at the time of my last visit. The ceilings of many were
absolutely black; the wood-work had certainly not been "washed
with hot water and soap every six months," and the lime-whiting
had in many instances been done without previously washing and
scraping the walls.
In thirteen bakeries the condition was very bad indeed, so much so
as to render the place totally unfitted for the manufacture of bread.
The defects in drainage (untrapped sinks, &c., in the bakehouses)
were few in number. Most of these had been remedied since my last
visit, and I only found five in this condition; but a large number of
ordinary sanitary defects—imperfect drains, closets without water
supply, and badly-paved yards—were noted.
Now, by the provisions of the Factory Act, any bakehouse which is
not "kept in a cleanly state" renders the occupier liable to be
summoned to the police court, and if the offence be proved, to the
infliction of a fine not exceeding ten pounds. No notice is required to
be servod. The punishment is not for disobeying an order to cleanso,
etc., but it is for allowing the bakehouse to get into a dirty condition.
Our method of procedure in the past has been to serve an ordinary
nuisance notice upon the occupier when sanitary defects were found
about the premises, or where the cleansing and ventilation of the
bakehouse had beon neglected, and so far as ordinary nuisances are
concerned we must continue to do this; but we have great difficulty
in getting our recommendations carried out, and a large amount of
time has been devoted by the Inspectors to this purpose.
I do not like to act harshly, but when I find, year after year, the
same bakehouse in a dirty condition, and only cleansed after notice, I
feel very much tempted to take summary proceedings against that
baker, and give him a lesson he will not forget.
By law, the Medical Officer of Health alone is responsible for the
condition of these places. The Factory Act gives him certain powers,
and it really is not fair that the time of the Inspectors should be
taken up in calling again and again upon the bakers who will not
keep their places iu decent order.