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6 Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
Let the members of this Vestry compare our cow-sheds now, with what they we???
a few short years ago, and the influence of Vestries for good must be readily con???
Cow-sheds as met with then, would be viewed with indignation, and swept away ???
hesitation. They now are visited twice in the year, with reference to ventilation ???
whiting, and cleansing.
Bake-houses present a cheerful and bright aspect, approaching more nearly ???
they ought to be, when we reflect that from them comes so large and important a ???
our food. Ignorance of their former state was a blessing. Regulations for cleansi???
ventilating them can hardly be too rigid.
Our Courts and Alleys are not, I confess, what they ought to be; indeed there ???
be no such places in our midst. Much has been done to improve them. The ???
remedy is their destruction. Many have been pulled down by the Railway Comp???
and for this we cannot complain; only other and more suitable buildings should have
erected in their place.
I may not pass over what has been done with reference to the Artizans' and Lab ???
Dwelling Bill, and the Act for Regulating the hours of Labour for Children, Youn ???
sons, and Women in Workshops. These Acts have not been long in operation
are consequently in that state when suspicion is rife, and opposition most deter???
This Vestry has done more in carrying out the former Bill than any other Vestry ???
Metropolis. An important case is now pending in the Court of Queen's Bench; th???
appeal of the Owner against the requirements of the Vestry. The decision* of th???
will have a most important bearing upon all future cases; and will influence for g???
evil the dwellings of our poorest classes. A decision against the Vestry will be depl???
as every future effort will be paralysed. The latter Act has not yet borne much ???
although its claims have not been neglected. The addresses of all the Workshops ???
district, with the number and ages of the employed have been copied in a book; ???
owner of an Artificial Flower Workshop was summoned before the magistrate, and
the full penalty with costs.
I will notice lastly, the enormous influence for good exercised by Vestries in ti???
epidemic and contagious diseases. Formerly the people were smitten, they lay wher???
fell, intensifying and spreading the germs of disease. There was no individual, no???
of men to whom application could be made (except in cholera epidemics). Houses and ???
remained uncleansed after death or recovery. Family succeeded family, each inh???
the fatal legacy left by previous occupiers. No disinfectants were used ; and vent???
was grievously neglected. Resignation and helplessness were the only emotions s???
To struggle against the inevitable was useless and impious. Reverse all this and you b???
a view of the present. Visits are immediately paid; patients removed when neces???
disinfectants at once used ; cleansing thoroughly carried out as soon as possible; and
bedding destroyed. Help and guidance are given to all who need them. The poos
*Since the above was written all the points of law reserved for the decision of the Queen's Bench
been decided in favor of the Vestry; and the decision of a second case by the Court of Quarter Session
been given also in favor of the Vestry on both the law and the merits. V.C.