View report page

10
superiority, but as a matter of fact he has as much authority as
ho chooses. He suporvisos the work of the Inspectors daily, and
directs them as much as ho considers necessary. All forms and
methods of work are devised by him, and he carries out the work
of the department in the mannor ho considers best for the public
good.
I find that in a largo numbor of instances tho Inspectors
do not report diroct to tho Sanitary Committee, but do so only
through tho Modical Officer. In other districts they submit their
reports to him beforo presenting thorn to tho Committee. It will
thus bo soon that opinions and customs vary within wido limits.
Tho Metropolis Local Management Act directs that "Every
. . . . . Inspector shall forthwith enquire into tho truth or
othorwise of . . . . . complaints, and roport upon tho same
to tho Vestry . . . . at their next meeting." The general
custom over noarly tho whole of London seems for the Inspectors
to roport to the Modical Officer daily, either at tho Town Hall or
at tho Modical Officor's own house, as has been found most
convenient. Yory few Medical Officers are bound to attend at the
offico daily; but most of them find it convenient to do so in order
that thoy may effectually supervise tho work of the Inspectors.
In eleven districts Chief Inspectors are appointed, but three of
those are only nominal, as they have no power over the others.
In one instance the Surveyor is Chief Inspector. In all but five
districts tho Inspectors take legal proceedings when directed by the
Vestry or Sanitary Committee to do so. This duty is distinctly
thrown on these officers by the 133rd section of the Metropolis Local
Management Aot. Notwithstanding this, in three Metropolitan
districts, tho Yestry Clerk prosecutos. In ono, the City, a solicitor
acts, and in another tho Modical Officer himself takes all legal
proceedings. In five districts tho Chief Inspector only acts in this
capacity, and calls tho other Inspectors when requisite. In very
fow districts have the Inspectors any duties other than should
naturally pertain to their office. In some districts special Dust
and Food Inspectors are appointed, leaving the Nuisance Inspectors
free to perform their special functions. In Clerkenwell the