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control over bakehouses in this Parish was never wholly lost, the
sanitary inspectors having, in accordance with my instructions,
continued to inspect them during the interregnum (1879-83) as
before. Although, therefore, there is still much to desire, in
regard to position and structural arrangements of the premises—
few of which were designed for their present use—sanitary
conditions have, on the whole, been fairly maintained. Upon the
passing of the Act the Society of Medical Officers of Health
prepared " Suggestions for Regulations with respect to Bakehouses,"
for the guidance of local authorities. There is no
.express authority for making regulations, but it was felt that good
would result should local authorities see fit to adopt regulations
•framed in accordance with the provisions of the Acts, for the
guidance alike of their officers and of the proprietors of
bakehouses. This course was followed by your Vestry, and the
Regulations, printed in large type, and mounted on cardboard,
have been supplied to each bakehouse proprietor in this parish.
It only remains to add, that the number of bakehouses in
the Parish is 149; 84 in North Kensington, and 65 in South
Kensington.
REFUSE.
The prevention of nuisance from accumulations of offensive
matters, coming under the general description " Refuse," is a
matter of no little practical difficulty. The difficulty, common to
.nil parts of the Metropolis, is not likely to be surmounted without
legislative interference.* Some few years since, I brought the
subject under the notice of the Society of Medical Officers of
Health, with the result that a Special Committee was appointed,
whose report, unanimously adopted by the Society, was printed
in my Annual Report for 1880 (page 114). The conclusions
.arrived at by the Society were summed up as follows:—
1. Trade Refuse.—The Nuisance Authority should have power to collect,
remove, and dispose of the trade refuse of butchers, fishmongers,
poulterers, greengrocers, etc., at the reasonable cost of the producers.
*The subject is dealt with in a report by the Law and Parliamentary
Committee, vide page 115.