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50 Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
Houses to Let in Lodgings.
In accordance with the instructions of your Sanitary Authority I have prepared
bye-laws for the registration and inspection, promotion of cleanliness, and
prevention of overcrowding in lodgings, let or occupied by members of more than one
family.
Section 94 of the Public Health (Londou) Act, 1891, makes it imperative that
every Sanitary Authority shall make and enforce bye-laws in furtherance of the abovementioned
objects.
The bye-laws, approved by your Vestry, now only await confirmation by the
Local Government Board.
Common Lodging Houses.
On application to the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis for information
respecting the common lodging houses in this Parish, I was courteously supplied
with a list of them, (see page 62.) 39 in number. They are mostly situated in the
Borough Road sub-district, and are registered to accommodate 1,297 males and
316 females—in all 1,613 persons.
At the end of 1891 the total number of registered common lodging houses under
the control of the police was 863, with accommodation for 33,086 lodgers.
On November 1st, 1894, the powers of the police over the common lodging houses,
including the making and enforcement of regulations and bye-laws, are to be
transferred to the London County Council.
I have more than once expressed the opinion to your Vestry that a central body
such as the London County Council might, with advantage, formulate uniform
regulations and bye-laws for confirmation by the Local Government Board. Given,
however, a sufficient staff of skilled and adequately-paid officers, the regulations
could be more thoroughly enforced in the case of common lodging houses, slaughter
and cow-houses, dairies, and bakehouses, by the Vestries and Local Boards, than by
the Council alone, or in dual combination with any other authority.
Bye-Laws under the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891.
This Act provides that every Sanitary Authority in the metropolis shall make
bye-laws under the following sections :— Sec. 16. For the prevention of particular
nuisances; Sec. 39. Water closets sufficiently supplied with water; Sec. 50. The
cleansing of cisterns.
The Vestry has made such bye-laws, and they have been approved by the Local
Government Board. They may be found commencing at page 51.
It now only remains for me, in bringing this Beport to a conclusion, to offer my
thanks to all who have contributed, by their assistance, to whatever success may
have attended our Public Health work during the past year.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
F. J. WALDO, M.A., M.D., Cantab., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health.
1, Plowden buildings, Temple.