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146
1897
sufficient for their numbers. Such accommodation is difficult to obtain,
and, consequently, it is not an infrequent occurrence to find the
unfortunate people seeking for lodgings for weeks before they can find
them.
The state of affairs in Islington at the present moment points to
the necessity of further houses being put on the register, and to the
appointment of an additional Inspector.
Public Health Department,
Vestky Offices, Upper Street, N.
To A. E. Harris, Esq.,
Medical Officer of Health,
Dear Sir,
In submitting to you my report on the works for the year carried out under
my supervision according to Section 94 of the Public Health (London) Act 1891, in respect
to houses let in lodgings or occupied by more than one family, I must confess that the
position of Inspector is not a bed of roses, the habits of the people, and the fact that there
is no one in the greater number of houses who is responsible for the condition of the
closets, yards, and staircases (as is in the case of the ordinary Common Lodging House)
makes his work a constant warfare. In most cases an agent collects the rents, and he only
allows as little expense to be incurred as possible so as to show a good return. But the
people themselves are sometimes very careless and destructful, so that they sometimes cause
great expense to the owner. A case in point: I had a drain reconstructed at a house in
Campbell Road, and two days after the completion of the work one of the new closets was
stopped. On opening up, the bladebone of a shoulder of mutton was found in the trap.
The closet was reinstated, and the next week the pan of the same closet was broken.
I tried to find out who had caused the damage, but was not able to collect any satisfactory
evidence so as to summons the offender. Of course the greater part of the houses on the
register are occupied by the poorer class and owned by people who do not take much
interest in them.
During the year I have made 3,785 inspections, 1,150 re-inspections and calls, and
have had 1,471 improvements carried out on 720 premises, a detailed statement of which
is added hereto.
There were 7 prosecutions of which 6 were successful, one being dismissed on account
of my not having personally seen over 12 persons in the house at one time, although I
knew as a fact they were there. The Magistrate, however, held that this was necessary
to obtain a conviction under the By-law as to closet accommodation. In the other cases
£6 5s. was obtained as penalties and £2 12s. as costs.
Nine more houses were put on the Register during 1897, and if more are to be added
in the future it will be impossible for one Inspector to cope with the work.
I am, Sir,
Yours obediently,
JAMES J. JORDAN,
Inspector of IIonset let in Lodgings,