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Other details, the various changes that have been introduced, details respecting
work under the Cleansing of Persons Act, bacteriological examinations and reports
under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, etc., are reported under their various headings.
In addition to the Services rendered by the Ministry of Health, the Home Office
in connection with Factories, etc., the London County Council, the Metropolitan
Asylums Board, the Metropolitan Water Board, the Registrar General for Statistical
Returns, other Services arc rendered by the Holborn Board of Guardians for Vaccinations,
the returns of births and deaths and the relief and treatment of the poor. Public
Baths and Washhouses, a Public Library, a Public Mortuary and Coroner's Court are
also provided.
The return to pre-war conditions was further resumed during the year. The
War Pensions Committee, which occupied much of the time of this Department, and
especially of the Chief Clerk, who was Clerk to the Committee, was transferred to 29,
Russell Square, at the latter part of April. Food Control work was also gradually
diminished as the various Food Orders were revoked. Various improved Sanitary
conditions have already been reported. On the other hand the largely increased
applications for free or assisted milk and other food and the very detailed work
connected therewith has occupied much of the time of the Public Health Department.
HOUSING.
In my Annual Report for the year 1919, I gave details respecting the general
housing conditions of the Borough and of the changes that had taken place leading to a
general increase in the value of land in Holborn, and making it increasingly difficult
to find suitable sites for the erection of working class houses without heavy charges
on the rates. I also reported that in the latter part of 1919, with a view to the erection
of additional houses for the working classes, the following four sites were inspected,
plans and estimates of expenditure and receipts were prepared, and carefully considered
by the Housing Committee : The Italian Colony which was represented by me in 1905,
and, after a Local Government Board Inquiry, was very much improved by the closing
and demolition of the houses in all the small courts, and other sanitary defects remedied.
A vacant site at the corner of Coram Street and Herbrand Street. Another vacant
site in Herbrand Street and a vacant site in Short's Gardens, which had been purchased
by the Council for housing and plans and estimates prepared in 1914. These
sites, however, were finally not approved by the Ministry of Health in the early part
of the year 1920.
All the less sanitary houses are carefully inspected annually, and are dealt with
from time to time, in accordance with the requirements.
As reported in my last Annual Report for 1919, a Closing Order was made that
year for the dwelling house No. 36 New North Street, and the two adjoining houses
were closed voluntarily by the owners. A demolition order was withheld as alterations
were being carried out. The whole ot the work agreed on was satisfactorily