View report page

91
City.—The workshops and workplaces, exclusive of kitchens, measured and inspected were
341 in number, and there were 1,591 workshops re-inspected. Among the improvements effected
were 193 water-closets provided or improved, overcrowding abated in 5 instances, and 170 roome
cleansed, 472 notices being served. Dr. Collingridge states that 1,452 workshops were on the books
of H.M. Factory Inspector, and that he estimated, with the additional premises being discovered,
that the number of workrooms to be inspected would be 2,500, of work places (kitchens, etc.), 214,
and of bakehouses, 44, of which 30 were underground. With respect to underground
bakehouses, the Committee decided upon a general course of action, but at the same
time determined to deal with each case upon its merits. The number of outworkers resident in
the City was 90. Legal proceedings were instituted in respect of two workshops. One female
inspector was especially employed on these duties, and two additional male inspectors were
appointed in November.
Shoreditch.—A register was being compiled, and 333 sanitary notices were served in respect
of 391 factories, workshops and work places. Among the conditions dealt with, overcrowding was
abated in 4 instances, cleansing was carried out in 506 rooms, 80 water-closets were constructed
and 50 re-constructed. There were 84 bakehouses in Shoreditch, of which 51 were underground.
A schedule of the conditions with which underground bakehouses must comply before certification
was adopted by the Borough Council. The workshops and eating-houses inspected numbered 138,
69 of which required attention ; 38 fried-fish shops were inspected. In all cases the necessary
notices were served and complied with. There were 967 out-workers resident in Shoreditch; the
addresses of those living elsewhere were forwarded to the authorities concerned.
Bethnal Green.—The number of workshops measured and placed on the register was 178.
In 161 instances notices were served to cleanse and repair premises ; 31 new water-closets were
provided, and other conditions dealt with. Very little overcrowding was found. There were
99 bakehouses in Bethnal Green, of which 37 were underground. A schedule of requirements
for underground bakehouses before certification was adopted by the Public Health Committee.
Notices were served in respect of dirty bakehouses, and in one instance a penalty recovered. The
homes of 603 out-workers were visited ; 36 were found to have insanitary conditions within them.
Of 973 out-workers of which notice was received, the addresses of those not resident in the borough
were sent to the authorities concerned. In 42 instances H.M. Factory Inspector was informed
of premises in which an abstract of the Act was not exhibited. One male inspector is employed
on these duties, and on the inspection of houses let in lodgings, cowsheds and milkshops.
Stepney.—The number of workshops on the register was 2,344. The number of workshops
inspected was 2,607; 522 were lime-washed and cleansed, in 107 ventilation was improved and
effluvium nuisances abated, in 29 hoods to gas stoves were provided ; in 165 instances additional
water-closet accommodation was provided, in 79 instances overcrowding was abated. There were
201 bakehouses in Stepney, of which 93 were underground. A schedule of requirements for
underground bakehouses was adopted by the Public Health Committee, and the condition of
each will be considered on this basis before a certificate is granted. The number of laundries
ou the register was 19. The number of firms employing out-workers was 690; the number of
out-workers employed was 3,756, of which 2,366 were tailors and 873 clothiers. Penalties were
recovered in respect of two overcrowded workshops, and in one for failing to cleanse and
lime-white.
Poplar.—Reports of the inspectors included in the medical officer's report shows that
there were 412 workshops, work places, laundries, etc., on the register, of which there were 619
inspections and 363 re-inspections. The number of workshops newly discovered and registered
was 67, and 50 workrooms were measured. The number of notices served was 149, and among
the conditions improved were 132 rooms cleansed, 4 water-closets provided, ventilation improved
in 1 instance, and overcrowding abated in 6 instances. Additional water-closets were also
provided in 9 factories. There were 117 bakehouses in Poplar, of which 40 were underground. A
schedule of requirements for underground bakehouses was adopted by the Borough Council, and
each bakehouse will be considered on its merits. The homes of 1,098 out-workers were visited,
and the addresses of others not living in Poplar were communicated to the proper local authorities.
Cases of infectious disease numbering 56 were associated with out-workers in Poplar. One female
inspector is especially employed on these duties.
Southwark.—There were 1,007 workshops on the register, in 595 of which men and in 412
of which women were employed, and of these there were 1,302 inspections and 2,525 re-inspections.
Workrooms numbering 633 were measured, and 606 notices served. Among the work done was
abatement of overcrowding in 17 instances, improvement of ventilation in 142 instances, cleansing
of rooms in 792 instances, and construction of sanitary conveniences in 33 instances. There were
126 bakehouses in the borough, of which 50 were underground. The Council adopted a schedule
of minimum requirements, with which there must be compliance before underground bakehouses
were certified. The number of eating-houses, etc., inspected was 210. The homes of 92 outworkers
were inspected. One female inspector was especially employed on these duties.
Bermondsey.—There were 966 workshops and work places on the register, and Dr. Brown
thinks this is probably not two-thirds of the actual number in the borough. There were 271
primary inspections of premises, and 134 notices served ; in 4 instances legal proceedings were
instituted. Cleansing was required in 33 instances, ventilation was improved in 10, and in 44
instances additional water-closets were provided. There were 108 bakehouses in the borough, of
which 36 were underground. The subject of certification of underground bakehouses was under
the consideration of the sanitary authority during the year. Information was received of 252
places where out-work is done in the borough. Information concerning out-workers in other
districts was sent to the authorities concerned.