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18
Smoke Abatement.
The smoke shafts in the Borough were frequently kept under observation and
in 411 cases the inspections were recorded. Some of these observations were made in
the early morning when smoke pollution is more prevalent. Generally the observations
extended over periods not less than one hour. Ten complaints were also received. As
the result of the inspections six intimation notices were served followed by statutory
notices in four of the cases.
Much of the black smoke nuisance arises from careless or inefficient stoking.
Stoking is usually considered an unskilled employment, and the stoker commonly
receives but little instructions how to carry out his work. With a view to encouraging
careful and efficient stoking, poster cards giving practical instruction as to stoking, and
suitable for hanging in boiler rooms, were obtained and a number of employers agreed
to exhibit them.
Common Lodging Houses Acts, 1851 and 1853.
Seventeen Common Lodging Houses are registered in the Borough for 1,220
lodgers, viz., 1,058 males and 162 females.
The Common Lodging House accommodation in Holborn is equal to 28 beds
per 1,000 of the population, a higher rate than in any other Metropolitan area except
the City of London. The death-rate amongst common lodging house residents is very
high ; in this Borough it was 46'5 per 1,000 in 1923.
FOOD.
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops.
The number of registered dairies and milkshops in the Borough at the end of the
year was 127. Six dairies and milkshops were newly registered, and 33 removed from
the register.
In addition to my inspections the Sanitary Inspectors made 248 inspections of
these premises, and five notices were served for sanitary defects or breaches of
regulations.
Detailed inspections were made of 61 dairy premises occupied by registered milk
sailers, of these 38 were general shops, 10 milk shops where refreshments also are sold,
and 13 milk shops with no other business.
It will be seen that a large number of registered milk sellers are engaged in the
business of chandlers. In many of these shops although offensive substances are not
sold, the trade includes the sale of articles likely to attract flies, e.g., open jams, open
sugar, cakes, soft fruits, meat, fish, etc.
With one exception the premises and milk utensils were found to be kept in a
clean condition, and, generally speaking, the persons and clothing of persons engaged in
the business were also found to be clean In the case of the registered milk seller