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Bridge Road, which had previously been in use (but considerably
neglected) as a private hotel, and which, consequently, required to be
redrained, reconstructed, and redecorated, and, afterwards, equipped
for the purpose of a model up-to-date milk dep6t. The Borough
Accountant's and Treasurer's Abstract respectively of the Lambeth
Accounts show that the cost of these alterations, reconstructions, redecorations,
and equipment was, naturally, considerable, amounting to
£921 15s. 9d., but the altered premises proved an ideal object-lesson
for the public generally, and for the milk trade and the medical profession
in particular.
Further, the same accounts show that the average maintenance
cost since that time up to the end of March, 1925 (a period of 20
years) has been £1,763 14s. 1d. (nett) per annum, and grants have
been available from the Local Government Board or the Ministry of
Health, year by year, though, for several years, it was necessary for the
Government Department formally to surcharge, or what was, practically,
to surcharge, the Council (through the District Auditor), and to
remit such surcharge, or otherwise to allow such payment, afterwards,
under the Local Authorities (Expenses) Act, 1887, no legal power
having been given directly at that time to a Local Authority to
establish or inaugurate (and maintain) such an Instiution out of the
rates within the County of London.* In this way, the Government
have shown that, whilst there may have been no direct legal powers,
their sympathy was in favour of such an inauguration and maintenance
of a Municipal Milk Depot. In addition, the usual contributions have
been received from parents and others responsible, as also rents for
sub-lettings, etc. The nett cost out of the rates has been an average
annual one of £453 15s. 10d.
In view of the above-mentioned facts, the question will naturally
arise as to whether or not the trouble and expenditure have been
justified by the results obtained. Fortunately, the answer can be given
at once in the affirmative, the results far more than justifying the
Council's action—at least, as far as experience in Lambeth goes.
It is interesting to set out in statistical form, for record, the
details upon which such answer is based. In this connection, however,
it must be emphasised that the most conclusive proof of the value
of a Milk Depot is not to be found in dry statistics, but in the actual
medical histories, or case-sheets, of infants and children (under two
years of age), who have been fortunate to be fed from the Depot.
These histories, or case-sheets, show, again and again, that infants and
children, who appear to be seriously ill and wasting, if not moribund,
as the result of improper and irregular feeding, at the time of commencing
the milk, actually recover and become strong and healthy.
*The necessary power was given by Section 12 of the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation)
Act, 1915, which was passed on Julv 29th, 1915, and which came into
operation on September 1st, 1925, by order of the Ministry of Health.