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The more recent adoption by the Vestry of the provision made in
the Sanitary Act of 1866, &c., for the Registration and Regulation of
Houses let in lodgings, or occupied by members of more than ono
family, has also entailed additional labour, both in the office and in the
supervision of the 200 houses already registered under these Regulations,
and this extra labour must still further be increased as more
houses are placed upon the Register.
It is, moreover, apparent to your Committee from the Report of
the Royal Commission on the Housing of the Poor, the exigencies of
public opinion, and the freer exercise of the right of complaint by the
inhabitants, that a large extension in the way of the sanitary inspection
of houses has become a necessity, and your Committee are, therefore,
of opinion that a material increase of the sanitary staff is indispensable,
and they trust that the Vestry of Saint Mary, Islington, will set an
example to the Metropolis by providing for such increased sanitary
activity.
Your Committee have further had before them two Reports upon
the subject prepared by their direction by the Medical Officer of Health
and the Sanitary Superintendent, which they submit herewith, and
which they have taken generally as the bases of their deliberations.*
The detailed statistics contained therein have been duly taken
into account in calculating the extent to which the staff ought, in
the opinion of the Committee, to be increased. These Reports have
been printed, and will be in the hands of the Vestry before this Report
is presented.
The Vestry are aware, from your Committee's report of the 12th
July, 1885, that in consequence of the necessity which they had felt
for increased assistance there were at that time four temporary Inspectors
employed in the sanitary work of the parish, and the services of these
Inspectors have since been retained pending the further decision ot
the Vestry.
From the experience thus gained, your Committee are convinced
both of the wisdom of this step and of its moderation, and they are
* The Reports referred to are for convenience printed as an Appendix.