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and it is for the Vestry to determine whether any steps should be taken
to prevent the use of such 'underground' rooms for the purpose of human
habitation.
"With regard to removable sanitary defects, such as that the trapping of
the area drains is inefficient, or that the dust-bin is without a cover, I beg to
report that I have requested the several Inspectors to take the necessary proceedings
for remedying the said defects, and that this has been done, or is in
the course of being done, in respect of the several cases mentioned by the
District Surveyors."
It may be added that there are 110 Cellar Dwellings properly
so called in Kensington, and that it was proposed in the
Public Health (Metropolis) Bill, brought in by Lord Salisbury
in the Session of 1885, to transfer the powers and duties of
the District Surveyor to the Inspector of Nuisances appointed
by the Sanitary Authority. The Bill was withdrawn, and
has not hitherto been re-introduced.
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASH-HOUSES:
The Baths and Wash-houses, at the junction of Lancaster
and Silchester Roads, Notting Hill, were opened in April,
current year. For the majority of parishioners, the site will
not be found sufficiently central for bathing; and obviously it
is too remote for washing purposes. The same objections would
apply to any single site in the Parish. I am of opinion that
much good might be effected by the provision of buildings,
on a modest scale, in several localities, to which the poor might
resort for the purpose of washing clothing. The question of
public wash-houses might with advantage be separated from
that of public baths.
MORTUARY.
The Mortuary in the Parish Churchyard, at the rear of
the Yestry Hall, was opened in July, 1888. In the first year
37 bodies were deposited; in the second year 77; in the third
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