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Vestry Hall,
Upper Street, N.
To the Chairman and Members of the Vestry of St. Mary, Islington.
Sir, Madam, and Gentlemen,
It is not without great regret that I present to you my Annual
Report as Medical Officer of Health on the Health and Sanitary
condition of your great Parish during the year 1899, for it is the last
occasion on which 1 shall have the honour to address you on the subject.
Before another year rolls round, the Vestry shall have ceased to
exist, and a new Corporation shall have taken its place. I am glad to
think, however, that, whatever may have been the care and attention
bestowed on Sanitation prior to the Public Health (London) Act 1891
coming into force, since then no Authority, in the Metropolis or in the
Provinces, could have had the health interests of their districts dearer
to their hearts than you have had those of yours during these years. The
public health laws, and the bylaws framed under them, have been administered
impartially ; the adulteration Acts have been enforced in a manner
to which Islington had hitherto been a stranger ; while the inspection of
food has been thorough. The natural consequence has been that people
now live in more sanitary houses, that more genuine food and drugs are
sold, and that your food supplies are exceptionally sound.
I cannot forget that much ol the active health administration of
Islington has been due to the gentleman (R. S. Cufflin, Esq.) who from
1891 down to 1900 so ably presided over and guided the deliberations of
the Public Health Committee, and that they with him have always
supported the staff of the Public Health Department in the discharge of
its duties.
Recollecting these facts I now tender on behalf of myself and the
staff under me our sincerest gratitude and thanks for that support,
without which we could have effected very little good.
In conclusion I pray that we as a staff may be fortunate enough under
the new Council to serve a Public Health Committee composed of
gentlemen who will discharge their duties with such a single eye
to the best interests of their Borough as those whom they will succeed.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
ALFRED E. HARRIS,
July 1st, 1900. Medical Officer of Health.