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104
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, Hackney, N.E.
\2th September, 1908.
To the Chairman and Members of the
Public Health Committee.
INTERCHANGE OF SANITARY INSPECTORS' DISTRICTS.
Gentlemen,
Reference.—"That each Sanitary Inspector appointed by the
Council to a sanitary district shall be annually transferred
to another sanitary district."
I have carefully considered the above reference and beg
herewith to report thereon. In the year 1901 the Public Health
Committee had this question under their consideration, and
enquiries were made of a large number of sanitary authorities as
to whether they had adopted the system of interchange of sanitary
districts, and with what results. In only a few cases had the
experiment been made, but the general opinion was that the
adoption of such a system would be prejudicial to public health
administration. The Committee, therefore, took no further action
in the matter. Considering the question again after the lapse of
seven years, I am still at a loss to know any definite reason why
the change should be made. I understand that the supporters of
the change sum up their reasons in the general statement " that the
Inspectors when settled in a district are liable to get too familiar
with builders and owners of property in their respective districts."
The above statement when examined appears to admit of two
inferences, either the Inspectors do their work unsatisfactorily as
permanent district Inspectors, or they are guilty in their relations
with builders and owners of property of conduct unworthy of
the confidence reposed in them. But in support of these inferences
no evidence of misconduct or of negligence in the performance of
their duties is forthcoming.
On the other hand, apart from the behaviour of the Inspectors
in relation to their duties and to builders and owners of property,