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21
Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health—1895.
Summary.
Houses and tenements, respecting which representations were made to the Vestry
that they were in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for human
habitation.
Houses and tenements 105
Inhabitants 525
During the years 1892, 1893, 1894, and 1895, applications have been made for
Closing Orders in the case of 261 houses and tenements unfit for human habitation.
These dwellings have sheltered upwards of 1,500 persons, and I think some steps
should be taken to re-house those whose occupations necessitate their living in or
near the district.
I would again respectfully commend the serious attention of your Sanitary
Authority towards the equitable solution of this pressing problem.
Section 30, of the Act states that, " It shall be the duty of the Medical Officer of
Health of every district to represent to the Local Authority of that district any
dwelling-house which appears to him to be in a state so dangerous or injurious tc
health as to be unfit for human habitation."
In compliance with this direction I have from time to time advised your Vestry
(the Authority under the Act), to apply for Closing Orders with respect to some of the
worst class of slum-property in Southwark.
Moreover after closure for a term of certain of these houses, your Vestry have
made and carried into effect orders for demolition.
Certain unwholesome dwellings which can be put into an habitable condition
have been reported to your Health Committee.
Such houses have been closed pending alterations—under the provisions of the
Public Health Act.
It should, however, be clearly understood that those dwelling-houses which can
be dealt with only by demolition, if a due regard be paid to health considerations, are
usually taken under the Housing Act.
If closed by virtue of the less stringent Health Act, there is nothing to prevent
their remaining a standing danger, for an indefinite period, to the health of the
inhabitants of the neighbouring dwellings, and to the public generally.
List of Slaughter-houses licensed by the London County Council, in October, 1895.
Name.
Situation.
Farmer, John
264, Old Kent Road
Redman, Frederick
146, High Street, Borough
Rowe, John
73, London Road
Trask, William S.
11, Bermondsey New Road
Waters, Frederick
79, Old Kent Road
The Slaughter-houses regularly inspected have been found to be conducted in a
satisfactory manner. They number one less than last year.
In the interests of the public, however, private slaughter-houses should be
speedily replaced by " Abattoirs." This change alone would enable a systematic and