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103
therefore, preferable that the latter should attend to its control
and rotation.
The entire system of fo0d technology is changing. Of less
moment is the inspection of carcass meat at the slaughter house
and the taking of routine samples for chemical analyses. This is
not to say that controls are unnecessary. Indeed all carcass
pr0duced in the Borough, some 492 were inspected and parts of
55 were condemned as unfit for fo0d. No fewer than 1,121 samples
were taken although greater emphasis is now being placed on
bacteriological examinations. Nevertheless, the Inspector is constantly
reviewing his systems to ensure that all fo0d including the
newer and more sophisticated varieties, is pure and wholesome
when sold.
Common L0dging Houses
It is not only in the field of fo0d inspection that the Inspector's
work is changing. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, in
order to provide accomm0dation for itinerant labourers, "common
l0dging houses" were established by municipalities, charitable
b0dies and by private persons for gain. Squalid conditions, particularly
in the last mentioned classification, became the rule rather
than the exception and legislation was intr0duced to register and
control this type of accomm0dation. It was one of the less pleasant
duties of the Public Health Inspector to visit these unsavoury
establishments by night to ensure that some measure of hygiene
was being maintained and that overcrowding in communal sleeping
rooms was not practiced.
M0dern ideas and higher wages have led to the discontinuation
of most of these premises. Nevertheless, two very long established
common l0dging houses, one for 33 men and the other for 24 men
continued to be registered in the Borough. One of these was
incorporated in a large Clearance Area and ceased to function
before the end of the year and it is anticipated that the registration
issued for the other in respect of 1970 will be the last.
Housing
The District Public Inspector plays a key part in "housing"
under the Public Health and Housing Acts. He is responsible for
the repair of houses in the private sector, and for initiating closure
or demolition of houses no longer fit for human habitation. He is
concerned in the abatement of overcrowding in accomm0dation
generally and the control of houses in which parts are let to
individual families. These houses used in multi-occupation, of
which there are several thousand in the Borough, vary from flats
which are virtually self contained to individual rooms in basements
where facilities, such as exist, are shared by a number of families.