View report page

67
from rags, or (2) to use for the purpose of making any
article of upholstery, cushions, or bedding, flock manufactured
from rags, or (3) to have in his possession flock
manufactured from rags intended to be used for any
such purpose, unless the flock conforms to such standard
of cleanliness as may be prescribed by regulations to be
made by the Local Government Board. Any person who
sells, uses, or has in his possession flock in contravention
of the Act becomes liable on summary conviction to a
fine not exceeding, in the case of a first offence, ten
pounds, or in the case of a second or subsequent offence,
fifty pounds. All fines imposed in any proceedings
under the Act are to be paid to the credit of the Funds
of the Council.
It is the duty of the Council, as the Sanitary
Authority for Bethnal Green, to enforce the provisions
of the Act within the Borough.
We had formerly in the Borough a Flock Mill
where filthy rags of all kinds were devilled into flocks
and afterwards sold to the manufacturers of cheap
bedding and upholstery. This mill was for many years
a horrible nuisance to the surrounding district, but, I
am happy to say, it is now a thing of the past and the
site of the mill is occupied as a timber yard. A careful
investigation was made by the Sanitary Committee of
the old Vestry in the year 1888 into the manufacture
of flocks on these premises and at almost every other
flock mill throughout London. Your Medical Officer
and present Chief Inspector accompanied the Committee,
and therefore know that a great danger to health will be
abolished if the Act is properly worked. Regulations