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105
The chief defects were dirty floors, walls and ceilings, some of
them extremely so; unclean yards or areas where food was being
prepared; a number of premises without proper or sufficient dustbin
accommodation; and some also in which the sanitary
conveniences were either insufficient or defective. In a certain
number of cases infringement of the Bye-laws were met with
in respect to the regulation that no sanitary convenience shall
communicate directly with a room in which food is prepared.
Whilst it may be said that many of the proprietors of these
establishments conduct their business in a suitable manner and
wholly within the meaning of the law, the same cannot be said of
all. Some of the kitchens and cellars were in a bad condition, and
food prepared in them could not but be open to grave criticism.
We have in Finsbury about a dozen manufacturers or makers of
sweetmeats. One or two of these are large firms with extensive
premises, whose produce has a world-wide market. Seven or eight
of them, on the other hand, are in a small way of business, and
naturally require more supervision from us. They supply local
shops. These workplaces have been carefully inspected, and
various recommendations made for the protection of the produce
from contamination.
In Chapel Street, Exmouth Street and Whitecross Street there is
carried on a considerable food trade from stalls. These are
periodically inspected at irregular periods every week, including
Sundays and Saturday nights.
During 1905 the system of registration of ice-cream vendors,
adopted in 1901, has been followed out. At the end of 1903 there
were 101 registered premises in which this trade was carried on;
during 1904 one was removed, so that there were then 100 on
the register; there are now 103. These places are regularly
inspected, and the regulations enforced; 192 visits of inspection
having been made by the inspectors, and 36 intimation and statutory
notices served for nuisances, &c. There has been one
prosecution for an unmarked barrow.