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5
Observations of the Sanitary Committee of
the Lambeth Vestry.
Laud-street.—One of 20 houses only visited.
One of the children of the six away in service for
nine months. Father earns 22s. weekly; wife
casually hawks grass, &c., bringing in 2s. on the
average. Rent 4s. 9d. Of the seven children in
the other case, two sleep at the grandmother's.
15, Portland-cottages.—Only four children slept
here.
Workshops and Bakehouses.—-The vestry is
making arrangements consequent upon the appointment
of the new medical officer.
Disinfection.—The vestry has made many
attempts to secure a site for another mortuary and
disinfecting chamber, but has encountered most
violent opposition from persons in the neighbourhood.
A site was acquired before the visit of Dr.
Hamer, and now an injunction is threatened to
stay the hand of the vestry.
Shelter.—The absence of this provision is not
peculiar to Lambeth. The subject is now under
the consideration of the vestry.
Dust Collection.—As this subject is now under
the consideration of the magistrate, the Committee
refrains from making observations.
Dust Yards.—These places have never been
reported upon adversely by our late medical officer,
though they were under constant supervision, and
reported upon fortnightly to the vestry.
Removal of Refuse.—The vestry has several
times taken action against offenders in this respect.
Had Dr. Hamer troubled to enquire, he could have
ascertained this fact.
By-laws re Houses let as lodgings. — The
Committee had new by-laws before tbem at the
beginning of the year, and appointed a Special
Sub-Committee, but pressure of business has
prevented final decision by the vestry.
Sanitary staff.—At the time of Dr. Hamer's
visit, as at present, there were seven, not six,
inspectors duly qualified, besides the chief inspector
and the special inspector for foods, drugs, &c.
These salaried inspectors are fully qualified, and
their salaries are much above the average in other
districts.
In addition to these inspectors, two clerks and a
junior are specially employed to relieve the inspectors
of the clerical work which occupies so
much of inspectors' time in other parishes.
There are also two men engaged in disinfecting
work, who in other parishes are classed as inspectors.
A third man is casually employed in
similar work.
There are, in addition, two clerks of works and
an assistant, who take sole charge of supervision
of the drains of new houses, and thus materially
relieve the inspectors.
Comments by the Medical Officer.
large accumulations of house refuse, moreover, iu
four instances dust receptacles were found to be in
a dilapidated condition, and in three instances
roofs were found defective.
Laud-strect.—I visited six houses in this street.
In addition to the overcrowding referred to in my
report, I found four large accumulations of house
refuse, two water-closets without proper water
supply, and other defects.
15, Portland-cottages.—My note is to the effect
that a man, his wife and six children slept in this
room. Even if there were only four children however,
the room would still have been overcrowded.
Workshops and Bakehouses.—The Act relating
to workshops was passed in 1891. The Sanitary
Committee does not challenge Dr. Hamer's statement
that in 1895 " no systematic attempt was
being made by the vestry, on its own initiative,
to deal with workshop inspection."
Dr. Hamer's report states that a site for another
mortuary had been acquired by the vestry at
Wanless-road, Herne-hill.
Shelter.—The Act requiring the vestry to provide
a shelter was passed in 1891.
Removal of refuse.—Dr. Hamer states in his
report that the by-law was not generally observed
in the parish. Inquiry would of course have been
made as to steps taken by the Vestry to secure
this observance had the Vestry, in reply to the
Council's letters, expressed their willingness to
assist Dr. Hamer in his inquiry.
Dr. Hamer states in his report that, at the
beginning of his inquiry, the staff of sanitary inspectors
consisted of a chief inspector, six district
inspectors, and an inspector performing duties
under the Food and Drugs Acts. The Sanitary
Committee of the Lambeth Vestry now states that
at that time there were seven, not six, inspectors,
duly qualified, besides the chief inspector and
special inspector for food and drugs. Dr. Hamer
suggests that the difference may be due to the
inclusion by the Sanitary Committee of an officer
who was formerly an inspector but who, he was
told, was now employed as an indoor officer. The
Sanitary Committee iu claiming a total of nine
inspectors, apparently adopts a similar method of
reckoning for a return as to sanitary inspectors in
the county of London, which I am now preparing,
and which has in its relation to Lambeth been
kindly corrected for me by the present medical
officer of health of the district, makes mention of
only eight inspectors.