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4
In each of the Annual Reports I have had the honour to lay before
you I have called attention to the higher death-rates and other features
indicating the existence of unsatisfactory conditions in St. John's Ward.
During the past year a very thorough inspection has been carried out,
with the result that considerable improvements have been effected, but
it is necessary still to institute a regular visitation of many premises
in order to secure the maintenance of decent sanitary conditions.
The necessity for extra supervision in St. John's Ward has also
been caused by the existence of "improvement" schemes, the presence
of which always seems to produce during their progress a degeneratio
of the surrounding neighbourhood. In St. John's Ward the delay in
carrying out the Millbank scheme by the London County Council has
had a detrimental effect on the district generally. The uncertainty as
to when houses will be acquired leads the owners to defer carrying
out repairs which may be required. A considerable amount of feeling
has been engendered in the district by the hardships inflicted by the
delay in carrying out the Millbank Scheme, and through several acres
of land being unbuilt upon.
It was hoped that during 1904 the powers of Metropolitan Sanitary
Authorities for dealing with places where food is prepared for sale or
stored would be materially strengthened. The boroughs were practically
unanimous in desiring them, and the County Council had included in
their General Powers Bill clauses which would, in some measure, meet
the demand of the boroughs. The Parliamentary Committees of both
Houses agreed to pass the clauses, but because the County Council were
not allowed to exercise "any right of arbitrary interference" with the
Borough Councils, that body declined to proceed. Such a course of
action by a body which professes to have the health interests of London
at heart is scarcely credible, and is not encouraging to the metropolitan
cities and boroughs, who are the health authorities of London, and who
are anxious to protect the public.
During 1904, the County Council convened a conference of
Metropolitan Borough Councils to consider a number of questions
relating to administration, methods of disinfection, defects in the
public health law, and other matters. A number of conclusions were
arrived at asking for additional powers, but in view of the County
Council's action on their 1904 General Powers Bill, it looks as if the
Metropolitan Boroughs will have to go to Parliament themselves in
order to obtain them.
In conclusion, I desire to acknowledge the assistance which has
been given by the City of Westminster Health Society. It has divided
the City into two parts, each under a committee, and has organised
the workers in connection with the various churches, hospitals and