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missioners are again conducting negotiations for a site in a position
more suitable, because more central, than the site at Ladbroke Grove.
This site, however, would prove even more costly than the other, a
secondary consideration perhaps, in the long run, seeing how much
the success of such an institution must depend on its position.
MORTUARY.
Two steps have recently been taken with a view to the provision of
a public mortuary. Plans prepared by your Vestry's architect have
been approved by the Churchwardens, and your Vestry have agreed
on the terms of an agreement with the Churchwardens settling the
conditions on which a building may be erected in the disused Parish
Churchyard. No more suitable site could be desired, especially as
only one mortuary is to be provided.
The next step will be to obtain a Faculty, and care will be necessary
to guard against the introduction therein of unreasonable restrictions.
The matter moves slowly, but I hope that on the presentation of my
next annual report, I may have the privilege of congratulating your
Vestry on a successful issue to long continued efforts to supply this
much needed sanitary want.
DISINFECTION.
During the year ended March 25th, 1880, a large number of
infected articles of bedding, clothing, furniture, &c., were satisfactorily
disinfected by Messrs. Wellan & Co., the contractors, mostly at the
cost of your Vestry, the owners being too poor to bear the expense.
The weight of the articles disinfected at public cost, was about 230 cwt.:
their number, 4,530, and the cost of the process, £226. Large as this
outlay may appear, it is probably less than would have been incurred
had your Vestry been possessed of a disinfecting chamber, and the
necessary staff for working it. An establishment and staff would have
to be maintained in working order almost irrespective of the amount of
infectious disease existing, whereas, under the present system, we pay
only for work done.
Two-hundred-and-sixty-one rooms in 230 houses were disinfected
with sulphurous acid by your Vestry's Officer. No charge was made
in the great majority of instances, the occupiers being poor; but a
small fee, to cover the cost of the process, is required of those who are
in a position to pay.