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385
FOOD INSPECTION.
During the year many systematic efforts were made to detect
the sale of diseased meat within the Borough, and I am glad to say
that, with few exceptions, our inspections have not called for any
seizures. Over a ton of unsound food was voluntarily
surrendered during the year. Premises where food is prepared and
stored have been kept under supervision.
The Dairies have been systematically inspected during the year.
One of the most important functions that Sanitary Officers
can perform is to do what is possible to stimulate the local producers
and retailers to a higher standard of cleanliness in the collection and
distribution of milk.
HOUSES LET IN LODGINGS.
By the end of the year 1920, 259 such premises were on the
Register, but these will be greatly increased as the result of the
greater number of house-to-house inspections which can now be
undertaken.
HOUSING.
No material industrial development of Stoke Newington is
likely, and the demand for houses will continue to come from those
who are industrially employed elsewhere. But there is an urgent
need of more dwellings in Stoke Newington in order to reduce
the excessive occupation of many existing ones.
Of the dwelling houses in the Borough (8,028), 3,978 are of a
working class rental and type. Although the average annual increase
of population for the five years before the War was about 8 per thousand,
no new working class dwellings have been erected for some ten
years. About 6,000 of the houses are at present tenemented and,
especially in the South Hornsey Ward, there are many tenements
with more than two occupants per room. Many up-to-date facts as
to the circumstances of occupancy of these houses are being ascertained
by the house-to-house inspection, which it has been possible
to extend in recent months.