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or order made under any statutory authority or power in that behalf; Section 24 gives
the Sanitary Authority the necessary powers of entry; and Section 25 makes it the
duty of the Sanitary Authority for each Sanitary District to enforce within that district
these new provisions and gives the Authority the necessary rights and powers for the
purpose.
The power in respect to sanitary conveniences is most useful. Although a good
deal of beneficial work has already been done in this direction, the Sanitary Authority has
hitherto been at a disadvantage whenever it was necessary to ask for matters in connection
with them to be attended to which could not be remedied under the existing law
relating to public health, but which it was necessary to deal with on the grounds of
public decency.
SANITARY STAFF.
Towards the end of the year the question of the adequacy of the staff of Sanitary
Inspectors was raised on the Health Committee. The responsibilities which have been
thrown upon the Sanitary Authority by the London Government Act 1899, and the
Factory and Workshop Act 1901, together with the increased amount of work under the
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts which has been required of the Sanitary Inspectors by
the Health Committee have taken up a very appreciable proportion of the time
formerly available for sanitary inspection in connection with dwelling houses. The
matter is now under investigation.
Owing to injury through accident, the Chief Inspector was absent from duty for
about a month in the summer, and Inspector Langstone wap absent during December
of the year under consideration, and January and February of the current year owing
to an attack of rheumatic fever. During their absences their duties were divided
amongst the other Inspectors.
Owing to ill-health and age H. J. Suffield, who was for nearly 20 years in charge
of the disinfecting apparatus, was unable to fulfil his duties and W. S. Gilbert, who had
been temporarily employed during the last smallpox outbreak was appointed to assist in
disinfecting, F. J. Ford taking charge of the disinfecting apparatus in place of Suffield.
I beg to express my satisfaction as to the manner in which the Officers of the Health
Department have discharged their duties, and my recognition of the assistance I have
received from them in connection with the work of the department during the year. I
also have to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Chairman and Members of the Health
Committee for the consideration and help they have rendered me in my official work for
the year.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
LEWIS T. FRASER BRYETT,
Medical Officer of Health.