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104
The deputation attended on February 10th, and their spokesman explained that the bakers having
met to consider the suggested requirements of the Council in respect of underground bakehouses,
as from the 1st January, 1904, after a general discussion of all the requirements, it was decided to
appoint a deputation to wait upon the Public Health Committee, to make representations as
follows :—
" (1) Floor. That in all cases, whatever material the floor is at present made of, should
be, where satisfactory, allowed to continue. For example, if York Stone
be in a satisfactory condition, and properly jointed, it should not be compulsory
on the part of the baker to have it removed. Where unsatisfactory,
of course, the Committee would require an alteration, and the
feeling of the meeting was 'generally in favour of a concrete and cement
floor. Personally, I think that would not be suitable for use in front of
the ovens, where the heat is exceptionally trying. My experience goes to
support the York Stone pavement, which will stand any amount of heat,
wear and tear. It could always be a matter for inspection by the Council's
officials that the joints in such floor were kept properly in repair.
" (2) Ceiling. Whilst thoroughly agreeing with the suggestion that this should be a smooth
surface, durable and impermeable to dust, the meeting were unanimously
of the opinion that nothing could improve upon lath and plaster ceiling,
with due attention to thorough cleansing twice annually as at present
arranged. It must be admitted that to have a ceiling made of heavier
material would be undesirable by reason of the considerable traffic which
naturally obtains in the shop, and under which the bakehouse usually
runs.
" (3) Light. It was felt by some that this was rather a stringent condition that it should
be possible to read a newspaper between 12 and 3 o'clock without the aid
of artificial light. It may be pointed out that 7/10ths of the work in a
bakehouse is done in the night, when artificial light must be used; at
the same time the feeling was generally expressed that a baker should
improve his light where possible, and as much as he is able.
" (4) Ventilation. This was felt to be the most important of all the requirements, but no sort of
unanimity could be obtained as to how it should be carried out. Many
suggestions were made as to special schemes for complying with this condition,
and it is accurate to say that the general impression was that one
of these plans could be adopted, with due regard to differing circumstances
of the bakehouses.
" (5) Flour Store. This requirement was understood to mean that, whilst a storage of flour
should be elsewhere than in the bakehouse, yet there was no objection to
the necessary flour being put in the bakehouse for the next day's work,
for of course it is important that the temperature of the flour in winter
must be raised for satisfactory manufacture.
" (6) Cellars, &c. The meeting desired a more careful and lucid explanation of the meaning of
the two words which close this paragraph, viz., " adequately ventilated."
These points gather up all that the meeting was in doubt about, and it is
not necessary to assure the Public Health Committee that the bakers of
Kensington are desirous of assisting them in the administration of this
Act, and most certainly not to in any way place obstacles in their duty."
(IT'""" A brief discussion ensued, and the deputation retired. The report of the Committee was
adopted unanimously by the Council on February 17th.
Shortly afterwards the Town Clerk, by direction of the Committee, addressed a communication
to the occupiers of the several proprietors of underground bakehouses, as follows :—
"Factory and Workshop Act, 1901—Section 101.
" Underground Bakehouses.
" By direction of the Council, I forward herewith a copy of the Requirements for Underground
Bakehouses, compliance with which is the condition on which the Council will be prepared
to grant their certificate, under the above section (a copy of which has already been sent
to you), that the premises in your occupation are, in the words of the Act, ' suitable for the
purpose as regards construction, light, ventilation, and in all other respects.'