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mentioned are to be considered as satisfactory; but assumption
does not appear to do now, and I do not think members expect too
much in asking that when an inspection is made it shall be carefully
made, and the conditions briefly and accurately reported. If no
nuisance exists let it so appear on the report, and not left to be
assumed.
Before concluding this report J desire specially to refer to two
matters which have considerably exercised my mind for some time
past, but no suitable opportunity has occurred to bring them to your
notice. I refer (a) to the question of Food and Market Inspection,
and (b) the position of the oldest officer in the service of your
Department. With regard to the first your Committee is aware
that for some considerable period of the year two inspectors are on
duty in the markets on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.
Further, for some months certain of the inspectors in turns looked
after the markets in Green Street and Brick Lane during the busy
part of eaoh forenoon. With so large an area of street markets as
we have in Green Street, Brick Lane, Bethnal Green Road, Cambridge
Road (southern end), and to a small extent in Hackney
Road, as well as the various shops, it is obvious that to provide
efficient supervision during the forenoons by the ordinary staff
considerably interferes with the daily routine district work. Personally
I do not consider the existing arrangements, either as to
forenoons or Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, at all
satisfactory. The recent seizures of unsound food shows clearly
the need for constant and effioient inspection of the markets,
and it is for you to consider and decide whether you are satisfied
with existing conditions, or whether you will recommend any
ohanges for the purpose of securing that the food in your markets
shall be subject to proper supervision all the year round.
With regard to the other matter referred to, many of your
Committee may not perhaps realise that Mr. Lapworth is now
approaching his fortieth year of service, and I desire to bring to
your notice the fact that although every phase of work in the
department has completely changed and changed again during the
period of his service, Mr. Lapworth is still expected to work a
district, test drains, etc., and keep toll with your younger officers
who have entered the services under conditions never dreamt of
in his more youthful days. Let me say as a matter of simple
truth and justice that from the time I was appointed to take
charge of the work of your department Mr. Lapworth cheerfully
and loyally accepted the new arrangement and so far as lay in his
power he has rendered me every assistance possible in carrying
out your work. Notwithstanding all this I venture to submit
that the time has now come for considering whether it is not