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107
Since 1893 the number of inspectors has been increased by sixty per cent., viz., from 188 to
301, of whom twenty are women.
The borough staff, which was enlarged in 1901 by the appointment of four additional male
inspectors and one lady inspector, now comprises a chief inspector, ten male inspectors, and two
lady inspectors of workshops, workplaces, and laundries where women are employed.
The services of the two street inspectors were dispensed with in 1901, and the duties formerly
performed by them in connection with the Food and Drugs Adulteration Acts, inspection of mews,
etc., devolved upon the male inspectors.
The table at page 108 contains a summary of the work of the male inspectors (so far as it
admits of tabulation) in their several districts, of which six are in North Kensington; i.e., north of
High-street, Notting-hill and Holland-park-avenue; and four in South Kensington, three of them
to the south of Kensington High-street and Kensington-road; the remaining district lying
between the principal thoroughfares named.
The work of the inspectors is carried out under the supervision of the Public Health
Committee, the Council having conferred on that body authority to enforce the provisions of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the Housing of the Working Classes Acts, 1890-1900, and the
Factory and Workshop Act, 1901.
Written Intimations of nuisance were served by the inspectors to the number of 2,424.
As a result of these intimations, many works of sanitary amendment were carried out forthwith,
thus realising the object of the legislature, and obviating in many instances the necessity for service
of statutory notices. In the intimation form a red ink note authorises the person liable to abate a
nuisance to make what, for convenience, may be called an " appeal " to the Committee, against the
requirements of the sanitary inspector. Appeal, which is of rare occurrence, usually takes the form
of an application for extension of time for carrying out works.
Statutory Notices for the abatement of nuisances to the number of 734, were issued by
direction of the Committee; and 1,219 notices under the by-laws for houses let in lodgings.
Supervision of underground work, reconstruction and trapping of drains, is exercised by the
Borough Engineer, and information on the subject must be sought in that officer's report. A considerable
number of drains were voluntarily reconstructed by the owners or occupiers of houses, on
the deposit of plans for the approval of the Public Health Committee. Particulars on this head
also will be found in the Borough Engineer's report.
Drainage, etc.—In regard to this subject, the Royal Institute of British Architects not
long since addressed a communication to the Borough Councils, asking that the detection only of
nuisances arising from sanitary apparatus or drains should remain in the department of the Medical
Officer of Health, and that matters relating to the construction, reconstruction, amendment and
repair of drains and sanitary appliances, and the structural removal of nuisances in connection
therewith, should be referred to the department of the Borough Engineer. The Institute was
informed that substantially the course they recommended was in practice in the borough. In
nearly every other borough in the Metropolis this work is entrusted to the Public Health department,
save as to the construction of new drains. The practical universality of the rule cannot be
the result of accident. Kensington is almost the only borough in which the sanitary inspectors are
relieved of this duty. Here, work in connection with underground drainage, etc., is supervised by
a staff—chief and second officer and two assistants—in the Borough Engineer's department. Were
this staff transferred to the Public Health department, and the several officers qualified as sanitary
inspectors, a considerable economy would be effected, as half the salaries would be repayable to the
Council out of monies voted by Parliament.