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were 8,018, and 7,354 visits to homes of patients were recorded. I
continue to receive most valuable assistance from the Chelsea Health
Society, and cannot speak too highly of the efficiency of the Society's
work. The "Violet Melchett Infant Welfare Centre," now nearing completion,
will render possible many desirable extensions and improvements
in Maternity and Child Welfare services. By the death of Lord
Melchett, at the close of the year, the Borough has lost an exceptionally
generous benefactor. His invaluable assistance, not only in Public
Health problems but in every subject of national importance, will always
be remembered with appreciation.
Section III. of the report deals with Sanitary Administration. The
statistics indicate that constant attention is devoted to the improvement
of housing accommodation in the Borough. Although to less
extent than in other Metropolitan Boroughs, this side of the work of the
department is frequently hampered by the inadequate number of houses
available. Since the War your Housing Committee has been largely
engaged in examining possible sites which might be utilised for Housing
Schemes—a task rendered difficult by the fact that Chelsea is already
largely built up. During the year marked progress was made in connection
with the Council's Improvement Scheme for the World's Endpassage
Area. The task of clearing this site and the construction of
new buildings thereon is being actively proceeded with by the Chelsea
Housing Improvement Society, Limited, in conjunction with the Borough
Council. The construction of the new working-class dwellings in connection
with the Manor-street Housing Scheme was also undertaken,
in conjunction with the Peabody Trust.
As in former years, much attention has been devoted to the supervision
of food supplies.
I have again to express my appreciation of the work of the staff of
the Public Health Department. With regret I have to record the death
after a short illness on July 10th, 1930, of Mr. W. H. Cowper, a Disinfector.
Mr. Cowper joined the staff in 1892, and throughout his long
period of service discharged his duties faithfully and well. I should
also like to thank the members of the Public Health, Maternity, Child
Welfare, and other Committees for the support and sympathetic consideration
which they have extended to me, and for their keen attention
to the problems which it has been my duty to lay before them.
Copies of this report have been transmitted to the Ministry of Health,
the Home Office and the London County Council, in accordance with
statutory requirements.
I am,
Madam Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
w. H. L. McCarthy.