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285
[1908
Duties of Male Inspector of Factories and Workshops.—Inspects factories,
workshops, workplaces, laundries where males are employed, the homes of
male outworkers, bakehouses (230), and kitchens of restaurants (400), and
deals with all matters relating to these places. This Inspector's work is the
heaviest of all the Inspectors.
Duties of Female Inspector of Factories and Workshops.—Inspects factories,
workshops, workplaces and laundries in which women are employed, also the
homes of female outworkers, and deals with all matters relating to these
places. She also makes inquiries respecting special matters in which women
alone are concerned.
Duties of Inspectors of Houses let in Lodgings.—The Inspector attached to
the Southern District inspects all registered houses let in lodgings which are
in the south part of the Borough, in addition to which he undertakes all
urgent work of any character which may arise late at night or on Sundays.
The Inspector attached to the Northern District performs similar work
with regard to houses let in lodgings, and also undertakes the chief work in
connection with the administration of the Adulteration Acts, in consequence
of which the inspection of houses let in lodgings suffers.
Duties of the Inspector under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts.
This is the same Inspector who was last mentioned. His work under this
heading is considerable, and requires care and forethought. It is done at
varying times of the morning, day and night. It is now proposed to greatly
increase the number of samples taken for analysis. If this be done then it is
clearly evident that he cannot perform the dual duties, which even at present
he complains are too heavy.
There is no doubt that the detection of persons dealing in adulterated
articles of food is becoming annually more difficult, because the vendors are
becoming more careful, and rarely palm off an adulterated food on the first
visit. Consequently it is necessary to become known at the shop as a customer
before procuring samples, for generally speaking it is not till then that the
sophisticated article is sold. Even when the prosecution is determined on
there remains much to be done in the way of procuring evidence and preparing
the case.
In view of the heavy work of the present staff, and of the fact that work
of a character which requires daily and systematic attention is about to be
increased, and of the fact that Sanitary Authorities everywhere are appointing
Inspectors for special work, I have no hesitation in making the following
recommendations:—