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I am informed, however, by the medical officer of health of the district that, as the result of a report
presented by him to the vestry, it has been decided to re-organise the work of the sanitary department
and to appoint a clerk to the department. The effect of these alterations will be to economise the time
of the inspectors and to relieve them of clerical work, which at present entails their spending much
time in the office, and will thus enable them to devote more time to inspectorial duties in their
respective divisions. It may be that these changes will be sufficient for the purpose. If, however, it
be found that complete information as to the various premises in the district and as to the conditions
existing throughout it is not obtained within a reasonably short period the vestry should increase the
number of inspectors.
I may thus briefly summarize the matters to which I think the attention of the vestry should
be directed—
1. The existence in houses of defective conditions. For the most part these are of such a
character as to be readily capable of remedy under the powers given by the provisions of the
Public (Health) London Act.
2. The existence of courts and alleys which are narrow and badly arranged, and of
houses which are old and worn out. Concerning these the vestry should see the necessity .
of applying for closing orders or taking other proceedings under the Housing of the
Working Classes Act.
3. The existence of a considerable number of houses in the district occupied by members
of more than one family. Many of these are not of such a character as to need frequent
periodic inspections. Others again are not so well circumstanced as regards the conditions
in which they are kept, and these need registration and regulation under the provisions of
section 94 of the Public Health (London) Act.
4. The absence of a register containing a complete list of the workshops in the district,
and setting out the condition of these premises. The preparation of such a register should
be proceeded with forthwith.
5. The failure of the present system of house refuse collection to ensure its removal
every week from all premises. A reorganisation of the system should at once be undertaken
so as to ensure this object.
6. The desirability of requiring in the by-laws as to houses let in lodgings a minimum
cubic space per head of 400 feet in rooms occupied by day and by night, instead of 350 feet
which I am told is the amount specified in the draft by-laws.
C. W. F. Young,
Assistant Medical Officer of Health.