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89
In a further letter to the Board on the 29th of September, your Medical Officer of
Health wrote expressing his surprise that no skilled persons had been sent immediately
to the School to examine it on the part of the School Board, more especially in view
of its past history with regard to Diphtheria, adding—"I cannot but regret the
"failure of your authority to have done this, for it could hardly be supposed that any
"person occupying the responsible position of Medical Officer of Health would have
"made such a serious statement without a solid foundation. I would also remind
"you that I informed you that the investigation would be continued on Tuesday,
"and, considering its great importance, I am surprised to find that no one representing
"your Works Department was present. Lastly, let me say that I am much surprised
"at the unnecessary delay on the part of the School Board from Tuesday to Friday in
" making an investigation."
This letter is important, because it was stated subsequently at the Police Court
investigation, that your officer had shown a want of courtesy to the Board in not
informing it of his intention to examine the school. From this letter it will be seen
that the Board was informed, but sent no person to make an examination with
Dr. Harris.
On Friday, September 30th, your Medical Officer met, bv appointment, General
Moberly, Chairman of the Works Committee, Professor Smith, the Medical Officer,
and some other Officials at the School, when his right of entry and examination were
at once challenged by the first-named gentleman, who distinctly stated that the
Sanitary Authority possessed no right of entry into the London Board Schools. In
reply he was informed that while your Medical Officer of Health was aware that
certain Government Buildings, such as Prisons and Barracks were exempt from the
supervision of Sanitary Authorities, he had yet to learn that the Board Schools of
this country, which were largely supported out of the rates, were similarly free.
The various defects in the sanitary arrangements were then pointed out. The
statement that the drains were leaking received little consideration, and indeed one of
the School Board representatives stated that he was "not surprised to hear it, but it
was not a matter of great consequence."
A water test had been applied to the drains, so that the Chairman and Officials
might see their defective condition, but only the most cursory and perfunctory inspection
was made.
Your officer at the conclusion of the interview was informed that the defects
pointed out by him would be considered.
Up to the following Tuesday (October 4th) nothing was heard from the Board
and your Medical Officer therefore wrote to the Clerk, informing him that unless an
assurance was received that something would be done at once, a recommendation
would be made to the Vestry on Friday, October 7th, to close the Schools.
This letter elicited a reply to the effect that certain work would be commenced at
once, viz.:—(1) The disconnection of the drains from the sewer by constructing an