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thrown much extra labour and responsibility upon your Medical
Officer. The resulting clerical work is much more than can be
dealt with by a single clerk; and though Mr. Meadway is an
exceptionally good officer, and really does the work of two men,
additional help in the office is urgently required.
I must apologise for the somewhat fragmentary nature of this
report which has been brought out under considerable pressure,
nearly three months earlier than usual. I was threatened by the
Local Government Board in April that half my salary would be
forfeited unless this report was sent in without delay, advance
copies were therefore typewritten and forwarded as desired. Since
my re-appointment under the Local Government Board it is
necessary that the statistics in this report should be prepared on
certain forms specified by the Board, and as I happen to prefer my
own forms which have been used in my past reports for twenty
years, I have been obliged to prepare the statistical portion of the
report in duplicate.
So far the advantages of reappointment under the Local Government
Board have been wholly on the side of the Vestry, who get the
return of half my salary from the County Council. All I have to
shew on my side is a good deal of extra clerical work, and the
necessity of preparing this report in the busy season, instead of
later in the year. Moreover I have not had the advantage of
perusing the annual Summary of the Registrar General which is
usually published in June, but have had to dig out comparative
Metropolitan statistics from whatever source I could. However,
I hopefully look forward to these matters being taken into account
when my salary is reconsidered, and meanwhile I have the honour
to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant.
Grorge Paddock Batehel.
Medical Officer of Health for St. Matthew Bethnal Green.