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63
SECTION VII.
PLACES OVER WHICH THE COUNCIL EXERCISE
SUPERVISION.
1.—Factories and Workshops. The premises coming under the
Acts have been inspected periodically and at irregular intervals. A record of
the work done has not been asked for this year by the Home Office.
Section 22 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890, has been
adopted by the District Council. The standards of sufficiency and suitability
of sanitary accommodation for persons employed in factories and workshops
have been enforced, and are those advised by the Home Office.
Gothic Works. On the 17th January I received a complaint of the
lack of washing accommodation for the sheet metal workers at the above works
where gas meters are constructed, regulated and repaired.
I visited these premises on several occasions and ultimately was able to
report in June that the firm were constructing a series of lavatories both for
males and females.
In September 1 was able to report that the firm had not only provided
extra sanitary conveniences for their male and female clerks, but also washing
basins for the male workers.
At one of my early visits six or seven employees were shown me, amongst
whom there was one with a severe case of tar eczema of both wrists and forearms,
alleged to be due to the irritating effect of the tar liquid found on opening
old gas meters for repair. I sent the firm a copy of the Government's recent
views upon this condition.
2.—Common Lodging House. There is only one in the district,
It has accommodation for men only. Mr. A. Denning was registered as
keeper in April and was given a licence for 12 months. It is a very old
structure in Eaton Place, a cul-de sac off Upper Fore Street, and its demolition
should not be long deferred.
3.—Houses Let in Lodgings.—The bye-laws were revised and sealed
by the Council in September, 1906. A large number of houses come within
their scope. With the addition to the male inspectors more attention can be
paid to this work in future. It is quite necessary.