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73
INSPECTORIAL STAFF.
During the year 1897, the 4 newly appointed Inspectors
have been doing good work, as also the other members of
the Inspectorial Staff. Inspector Wiggs, the Food and
Drugs and Smoke Inspector, was, however, unfortunately
ill for the latter half of the year—an illness that ended in
his death in October; so that a temporary Inspector had to
be appointed by the Vestry for the carrying out of these
special duties.
Full details as to the work carried out by the District
Inspectors are to be found on pp. 69 to 72, from which it will
be seen that a large number of nuisances have been abated,
sanitary defects remedied, and drains tested, inspected, and
re-constructed, either in part or wholly. The supervision
of all drainage is now in the hands of the Sanitary Department
(a change that has obtained since November
4th, 1896), and during the past year no friction
has arisen in connection therewith, nor has it been necessary
to refer any matter in dispute to either the Sanitary
or Sewers Committees of the Vestry.
In connection with the drainage work, it may be mentioned
that the supervision of new buildings has thrown
much extra work upon the Sanitary Inspectors, and
relieved, in proportion, the Surveyor's Department.
Thus, during 1897, 507 plans (representing 709 houses)
have been received, approved, and the drainage work,
as shewn, carried out under the personal supervision of
the Inspectors, and water-tested both in sections and as a
whole—a duty the importance and extent of which will
be realised when it is remembered that an average of about 12
visits is required in connection with each house or
premises, the drains of which are being constructed or
re-constructed. 8714 preliminary and statutory notices
have beer, served by the Sanitary Inspectors during the
year 1897 under the Public Health (London) Act and the
Metropolis Local Management Acts, and 2374 in connection
with infected houses (for disinfection, stripping off
wall-papers, and general cleansing), whilst 33 notices have
been served under the Housing of the Working Classes
Act, 1890, by the Vestry.
The special work in connection with Smoke Abatement,
and the carrying out of the Food and Drugs and Margarine
Acts, is dealt with on pages 84 to 91.