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11
Sundry small repairs have been carried forward throughout the
year. There is no need to enumerate them in detail. It should not,
however, be forgotten that a considerable sum has been laid out for
plant. This expenditure has been necessary, because the Yestry has
decided to do its work by direct employment. The Yestry might
have been well-advised, when they first embarked on this policy, if
they had purchased the necessary plant out of a loan specially made.
Instead of this, all plant has been bought out of revenue. No doubt
this course has been for the permanent benefit of the ratepayers, but
the fact should be borne in mind when the amount of rates is considered.
As regards the Wheelwright's and Smith's Department, the
Yestry have to record with regret that their wheelwright Mr. Pallett,
has left their service to take up duties at a considerably increased
salary. The whole of the Department is receiving considerable attention
at the hands of the Works Committee. In his last report the
late Surveyor testified that the Wheelwright and Smith's Department
had been an unqualified success.
The lighting of the Parish has received considerable attention
at the hands of this Committee. It is generally felt that, seeing the
amount of the gas bill, the Parish should get a better light. It will
probably be necessary to re-arrange the position of many lamps, and
perhaps to provide improved burners. The poorer the district the
better should it be lighted, and although, speaking generally, the
proportionate number of lamps compare favourably with that of other
districts, their lighting capacity is not satisfactory. As usual, the
unfortunate shape of the Parish increases the difficulty. A Special
Committee has been considering the question for some time past.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SEWERS COMMITTEE.
The work of the Sanitary Department is dealt with in some
detail in the Medical Officer's Report. There are, however, certain
points to which the Vestry would direct especial attention.
(i.) The rate of mortality of infants and children continues
excessive. Of every 1,000 births in this Parish 208 die within the
first year of life; the average rate for London, as a whole, during the
past five years is 155 per 1,000. Dr. Waldo indicates six causes