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Lastly, I may just say that the Census of 1871 shows that
there were 10,548 domestic servants in Islington. Of these 244
were male, and 10,304 female—or in other words there was a
domestic servant to about every 20.1 of the population—a proportion
that is higher than in many parts.
Upon a subject that has been for a long time a constant
matter of consideration, both by your Vestry and the Sanitary Committee,
I am anxious to say just a word. That is the Mortuary.
Owing to some objection as to the site, the arrangements that were
well nigh completed for its erection, had to be abandoned. I sincerely
hope that nothing now will interfere with its being built on
the new site that has been decided upon. The importance of
Mortuary buildings is self-evident. But I am most desirous that
when they are erected the Vestry should at the same time agree to
erect a chamber for disinfecting clothes and also one for burning
them when necessary. It will of course be said, " We do burn them
when there is a need." But we have no place to burn them in.
It is true we destroy them in some open field, or any where where
good luck has left a vacant spot, but a complaint that has only
just lately reached the sanitary department, proves what a nuisance
this process may cause to the houses surrounding the place where
the operation is carried on. The extra expense will be small, and
I most anxiously urge on the Vestry the paramount importance of
giving this subject their consideration. If this necessary addition
is not made I have grievous doubts whether the Mortuary
itself will be of so much value; at any rate it is perfectly
certain it will be wanting in what I am persuaded will be found
to be one of its most essential features.
It is my duty, as the Analyst appointed by the Vestry, and approved
by the Local Government Board, to report to you quarterly, as the
Local Authority, the results in this department of my work. Although
I have for the past six months been engaged in putting
this Act into active operation, I have delayed writing my first
report until the present time, although I am conscious that, in accordance
with Section VII., I should have reported to you the results of
my first investigations three months ago. This delay shall not occur
again; but it was necessitated by the anxiety I felt that the new
Adulteration Act should, as far as I could render it, be no mere