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59
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
It seems desirable that the London County Council should retain the registration of common
lodging houses and be empowered to make any regulations necessary for their proper management.
On the other hand, the detail work of inspection and supervision in general ought to be left to the
Borough Council's officials.
Mortuaries.—The Council has two mortuaries—one on Paddington Green, behind the
Coroner's Court, and the other in Kensal Road. The former is in course of enlargement and
reconstruction. When complete the accommodation provided will comprise a coroner's mortuary
(view room, post-mortem room, microscope room, lavatories, and exhibition case), an infectious
mortuary and mortuary chapel, each being a separate building.
The mortuary at Kensal Road is of modern construction, and comprises shell room and postmortem
room. The place is but little used, but it cannot be abandoned so long as Queen's Park
Ward is in a separate coroner's district. Inquests relating to deaths in the Ward are held in the
large room at the Wedlake Street Office. It might be worth considering whether an arrangement
could not be made with the Council of Kensington for a joint user of this mortuary. The only
mortuary at present erected in Kensington is that in rear of the Yestry Hall, opposite to the High
Street Station. An additional mortuary for North Kensington would save much time and labour
for the residents therein.
Petroleum Lamps.—By direction of the Public Health Committee a report was
drawn up by the Medical Officer of Health dealing with accidents arising from the use of
petroleum lamps and presented to the Council on 5th March, 1901. The report contained
recommendations drafted for the guidance of the public, which have since been included in the
sheet which is annually issued to residents of the Borough.
Workshop Supervision.—Rather more work was accomplished during the year in workshops
and workplaces, as may be seen from the appended statement.

No separate record has been kept of notices served in connection with this work in the past,
nor have the results of such inspections, as to dirty conditions or other matters, been distinguished
from other cases reported on. Better records will be kept in connection with the work of the Special
Inspectors.
From the Home Office 25 complaints, chiefly of overcrowding and dirty conditions, were
received and duly attended to.
In the spring of last year the Factory and Workshops Acts Amendment Bill, 1901, and the