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113
but the defects which existed were simply appalling. In many cases, the
dirty, destructive tenant has again been in evidence. It is to be hoped
that when the existing law relating to sanitary administration is consolidated
and remodelled, the Local Authority will be empowered to
take more effective action in regard to these dirty tenants who do not
appreciate in the slightest degree the most elementary principles of
domestic sanitation. However, a very large amount of the work for which
notices were served has been carried out, and a great deal is still in hand.
One particular owner has made a very great improvement in one block
of houses by removing the old back staircases and giving increased
accommodation in bedrooms and sculleries.
There was a number of houses for which notices were served, and
which were dealt with under the Public Health and allied Acts and byelaws
referring to nuisances generally. We find that many of the old houses
are without fireplaces in the back-addition bedrooms, and these rooms
are generally very damp. A room without a fireplace, in my opinion,
should not be allowed to be used for sleeping in.
Every house visited under this system is subjected to a most
careful, inspection, but the work that takes time is the service of the
notices, watching the work of remedying the defects from day to day,
and entering up in the records the results of inspection and work carried
out.
The total number of houses inspected, excluding those mentioned
in your Medical Officer of Health's report and dealt with under the
Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909, was 375.
FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, ETC.
The number of inspections of bakehouses, workshops, factories,
etc., is included in your Medical Officer of Health's Report, as required
by the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, also, the tabulated statement
of work done under its various headings, in the form required by the
Medical Officer of Health for the County of Middlesex.
I have curtailed this report as much as possible, most of the
work done in the Department being quoted by your Medical Officer of
Health in his annual report.
I sincerely hope that during the year some steps will be taken to
deal with the nuisances caused by many of the stallholders on The Green;
much of the nuisance is caused by the fish-washings soaking into the
roadway, and lying in the channels and gullies. This necessitates the
channels being washed down on Saturday mornings (and on Sundays
during hot weather) by the Council's Hushing men.