View report page

90
(f) The introduction of legislation for the repeal of the warranty sections of the sale
of Food and Drugs Acts (Sections 25 of the Act of 1875 and 20 of the Act of
1899).
(g) The acquisition of powers to enable the Borough Councils, at their discretion, to
establish creches and to make reasonable charges for the accommodation and food
provided thereat.
(h) The amendment of the law so as to provide that disinfection shall be carried out
without the intervention of a contractor, and to the satisfaction of the Medical
Officer of Health.
(i) The acquisition of powers to enable the Metropolitan Asylums Board to extend
the operations of their ambulance service so as to include the transport of
medical, surgical and mental cases.
My report was referred to the Public Health Conmittee, who intimated that, whilst in
general sympathy with the majority of the resolutions, they felt a little hesitancy in expressing
an opinion thereon until they should have had before them the Bill which would, no doubt,
be introduced into Parliament, embodying the various suggestions dealt with. The Committee
therefore decided to defer the further consideration of the matter until such a measure had been
formulated, and they recommended that a communication be addressed to the London County
Council on these lines. The report was adopted by the Council.
THE WORK OF THE SANITARY INSPECTORS.
The Sanitary Inspecting Staff comprises a chief inspector, ten male inspectors, and two lady
inspectors of workshops, workplaces and laundries where women are employed. The table at page
93 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 main
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, 18901903,
and the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, etc.
Supervision of underground work—reconstruction and trapping of drains, etc., was, as
from the beginning of the year, transferred from the Borough Engineer's department and placed
under the Sanitary Inspectors, who during the year supervised the reconstruction of the drainage
systems of 172 premises. A considerable number of drains were voluntarily reconstructed
by the owners or occupiers of houses, after the deposit of plans for the approval of the Public
Health Committee, particulars of which will be found in the Borough Engineer's report.
The Sanitary Inspectors are charged with the further duty of collecti ng samples of food
and drugs for analysis by the public analyst; the number of samples collected last year was 536.
A sample of potable water, moreover, was collected, monthly, in each of the three districts formerly
supplied by the Grand Junction, West Middlesex and Chelsea Water Companies.
written Intimations of nuisances were served by the inspectors to the number of 2,134.
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. On 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 an extension of the time specified for carrying out works.
Statutory Notices for the abatement of nuisances to the number of 471 were issued by
direction of the Committee.
Notices under the by-laws for houses let in lodgings, to the number of 1,155, were served.
legal Proceedings.—In fifteen cases proceedings were instituted: in one instance, for
an offence under the by-laws for registered houses, the fine inflicted being £5; in thirteen cases
for non-compliance with the Council's notices, the fines inflicted, in five cases, amounting to £18 5s.
Orders were made in three other cases, and in five cases the summonses were withdrawn, the required
work having been executed. In one instance proceedings were instituted for the carrying of
offensive matter through the streets, a fine of five shillings being inflicted. The fines in all
amounted to £23 10s.