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In six cases the business was given up voluntarily, the premises having been converted to
other uses; in six cases bakehouses above ground were erected in lieu of unsatisfactory bakehouses
underground, whilst in five cases the occupiers decided, for one reason or another, not to apply for
the Council's certificate. Great improvements were effected at the certified premises at considerable
expense; but the bakers are well pleased with the results; the benefits conferred upon the operatives,
moreover, being duly appreciated. It may be doubted whether there is a better set of underground
bakehouses than those in Kensington, of which it may be said that they are "suitable" for the
purpose, "as regards construction, light, ventilation and in all other respects." All practicable
measures should be taken to maintain the several premises in their present satisfactory condition,
and to prevent danger to health from contamination of food. Chief among these measures I would
place the framing of by-laws for ensuring cleanliness in the conduct of the business—an observation
which applies equally to hotel and restaurant-kitchens—a matter dealt with in clauses in the County
Council (General Powers) Bill, 1904, that were thrown out. The Bill proposed to make provision
with respect to sanitary conveniences, ash-pits, cisterns, drains, and sleeping places. Clause 23
wound up by proposing that, "No actor thing shall be done or permitted in any such room or
place {i.e., where food is prepared for sale) likely to expose any such article (of food) to infection
or contamination." All the objects contemplated by the Bill could, I think, be secured more
effectually by by-laws than by the direct provisions of an Act; and I submit that the precedents
established by legislation, with respect to cow-houses, dairies, milkshops, etc., which are under
regulation, and in other instances, might be followed with respect to bakehouses, restaurantkitchens,
etc., with advantage to the health of the community generally, and the health of the
persons employed at these establishments. As respects bakehouses, a proposal with respect to
by-laws made by me, in 1881, was endorsed by the late Vestry in that year, and on subsequent
occasions when legislative proposals relative to these establishments were before Parliament.
The Sub-Committee appointed to deal with underground bakehouses, submitted a report,
approved by the Public Health Committee, and adopted by the Council on 17th February, 1903, in
which it was pointed out that the "requirements only very indirectly referred to the user of the
bakehouse," and that "the question of the necessity for by-laws regulating such user should in
(their) opinion receive the attention of the Committee."
The Public Health Committee, in presenting the final report on their proceedings with regard
to underground bakehouses, 7th June, were pleased to place on record their "appreciation of the
valuable assistance rendered to them by the Medical Officer of Health, in connection with their
carrying out of the Council's requirements; and especially of the tactful manner in which he had
secured the execution of the works necessary to the attainment of the high standard now established
throughout Kensington." They were further pleased to bring to the notice of the Council the efficient
manner in which the Chief Sanitary Inspector, Mr. Pettit, had supervised the various alterations. In
expressing my thanks to the Committee, and the Council, who adopted their report, I desire to
signify my entire approval of the work of all the members of the inspectorial staff, and my sense of
the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. Sadler, of the Town Clerk's department, who acted as clerk
to the Sub-Committee from the inception of their labours in 1902.
PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT, 1891.
{Conference of Delegates of the Metropolitan Borough Councils.)
The need of amendments to this Act is recognised, and it was expected that the County Council
would have introduced an amending Bill long ere now. In February, 1899, a letter had been
received by the late Vestry from the Public Health Committee of that body, desiring information
as to amendments which in their opinion should be made. The communication was referred to a
sub-committee of the Sanitary Committee, together with reports by the vestry clerk, the surveyor,
and the medical officer of health; and also a communication from the Society of Medical Officers
of Health, embodying suggestions for amendments and additions to the Act. The sub-committee
made recommendations for amending section 2, and especially by a definition of "overcrowding,"
corresponding to the provisions of the Council's second by-law for registered houses. They further
proposed that section 5 should be amended, so as to enable the sanitary authority, upon obtaining
a closing order, to evict the tenants. Other proposed amendments dealt with offensive trades—
slaughter-houses; with cow-houses and dairies; the disposal of refuse; regulations as to waterclosets;
unsound food; notification of infectious disease; cleansing and disinfection of premises after
infectious disease; isolation in hospital; exposure of infected persons, etc. Further additions to
the provisions of the Act were suggested, especially with regard to the control of infectious disease.
The report, subject to a slight variation in regard to proposed amendments to section 55 (notification
of infectious disease), was approved by the committee, and submitted to the Vestry. Some