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cleansing of both classes of person, and it is not thought that the proposed
new station would be convenient for the use of the class of person
from Common Lodging Houses, which are mostly located in the St.
John and Strand Wards of the City; that if the County Council desire
to utilise the proposed new Station, it might be available for school
children in the neighbourhood; that the City Council might consider if
they would retain, for the use of the County Council, for the inmates of
the Common Lodging Houses near by, the existing Disinfecting Station
with the Shelter at the Coroner's Court, Horseferry Road, which it was
originally intended to remove, if the County Council think that it would
bo suitable for their requirements, but that it would not be desirable
for school children to use these premises for cleansing purposes.
Some years ago I suggested that the owners of Common Lodging
Houses should be required to provide means whereby their inmates
could have baths and their clothes stoved, and apparently the County
Council adopted the suggestion in their lodging house (Bruce House) in
Westminster, and the Salvation Army have also made similar provision
in one of their houses. If this were required in other lodging houses
the difficulty which the County Council have would be got over. With
regard to children, Section 122 of the Children's Act, 1908, confers
power on the local Education Authority, similar to those contained
in the General Powers Act, 1907, but it obliges a sanitary authority
which has provided any premises or appliances for cleansing persons
infected with vermin to allow the Education Authority the use thereof
upon such payment as may be agreed, or failing agreement, as may
be settled by the Local Government Board.
Mortuaries.
The number of bodies removed to the Council's mortuaries under
order of the Coroner, or to await burial, was 364; in 11 instances
death was the result of infectious disease.
Two hundred and ninety-nine inquests were held at Horseferry Road,
where the Coroner's Court is situated; 13 adjourned inquests were
held. Postmortem examinations were made in 198 instances at
Horseferry Road. An increase has taken place in the deaths due to
traffic accidents; 44 enquiries were held into deaths from this cause.