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properly and effectually carried out, and with both energy of will
and thoroughness of purpose combined, they will no doubt be
successful. Their first quarter's dusting from Lady-Day to June,
1876, with 6,159 applications, including, as we may fairly reckon they
did, the legacy left them by the contractors, is the promise of better
things to come.
I have also observed with much satisfaction that they are
certainly conferring upon the inhabitants of Islington the pleasure
and wholesomeness of cleanly streets, kept free from the accumulations
which were once so common. We are now, at any rate,
obtaining good results from the efforts that are made, and fair
returns for the money expended. I hope, however, that the
Committee will soon be released from the necessity of hiring horses,
carts and men by the day from Contractors, as this system of hiring
undoubtedly involves a very heavy expense, if at the same time we
are desirous of securing a thoroughly efficient service. The purchase
of a sufficient number of horses and carts for the whole of the
dusting and slopping-work, and even horses for some of the watering,
would require only the investment of a capital, no larger in amount
than the payments required by the Contractors for the Dusting and
Slopping of the current year; and the adoption of this course I beg
most heartily to recommend.
In again warmly commending the diligence and industry of your
Inspector of Dust, Mr. Pain, I must also report my entire approval
of the manner in which the other Inspectors and Officers of the
Sanitary Department have carried out their onerous duties, both in
respect to the dusting as well as in connection with their other
work.
CONCLUSION.
And now, Gentlemen, I would venture to point out that in
Sanitary work a Medical Officer of Health is of but little use unless
each member of the parish strives himself to be a sanitarian. To
effect any great good, we may work together, and even then we
shall do but little, unless the public work with us. I do not
mean by this that the public are to send anonymous complaints to
the Vestry offices, or even to make personal complaints, where, on
investigation, a reason is found for the complaint, but no reason in