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48
the necessary proceedings were taken to obtain closing orders,
and after some delay and considerable expense had been incurred
the magistrate visited the premises and declined to make the
order asked for, on the ground that he thought by giving the
owner a mouth in which to make the necessary alterations the
property would then be in a satisfactory condition.
Beckford Square was at that time on the list for consideration
of the Committee with the object of similar proceedings being
taken, but in view of the failure attending the above, which, in
the opinion of the Committee was in much worse condition, it
was decided not to proceed with the matter. Other property has
since been closed under the statute, but my own view of the
matter is that the same object can be achieved more expeditiously
under the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
In conclusion, I beg respectfully to say that the opinions I
have expressed in the past with reference to the several matters
referred to in Dr. Young's Report have been fully justified by
time and the abortive attempts which have been made to deal
with them. I consider it desirable that the Bye-laws for the
registration of houses let in lodgings should be made practicable
and be put into operation as soon as possible, because the class
of houses to which it is desirable to apply them are of necessity
subject to recurring nuisances of a nature which can be more
expeditiously dealt with in the mode proposed than by any other
which has hitherto been suggested. If this is conceded it is in
itself a justification for the appointment of another Sanitary
Inspector, as at starting one man's time would be fully occupied
by the work involved, and after the register is completed any
time he might have undisposed of by the inspection of the
registered houses could be devoted to factory, house-to-house
inspection, or any of the other matters which are constantly
falling into arrears.
With regard to the Mortuary I have pointed out how the
defect can be remedied, and that it is a real defect calling for
remedy will, I am sure, not be gainsaid when I remind you that
the bodies of persons dying of infectious disease are placed in the
same chamber as those dying from accident and from the result
of illness of non-infectious character, and that these are visited
by large numbers of relatives, friends, and jurymen at considerable
risk ; the same observation applies to your own servants, who have
to use the said Mortuary for the purposes of storing shells and
other necessary articles.
Yours obediently,
December 14th, 1897. G. E. Yarrow.