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69
In the first place, as so much reliance is placed on the moral suasion of
the Sanitary Inspector, it appears desirable that his authority should be backed
by the extra importance which a uniform affords. In this way only—which
has been adopted with advantage in other districts (he would be able to
reduce the number of his visits to nearly one-half ) at present they are about
14 or 15 to each house on the average—and his usefulness would be materially
enhanced.
Next, it would appear advantageous to employ the Metropolis Local
Management Act more freely than hitherto. The Nuisances Removal Act was
never intended for the systematic improvement of a district, while the Metropolis
Act directly proposes this as its object. Hence such a matter as water
supply to privies is not clearly insisted on in the former statute, and many
Magistrates refuse to include it in their orders. In failing to establish a point
of this kind by law, after it has been insisted on in a notice, a serious blow is
given to the moral influence and power of the Board.
I am happy to say that this opinion has been expressed by your Clerk
in a special report on the sanitary statutes; and that the alleged difficulties
in the procedure of the Local Authority under the Metropolis Act has arisen
from some informality which each proceeding of the kind will enable otherLocal
Authorities to avoid.
Again, whether the ultimate procedure be, a notice under the Metropolis
Local Management Act, or a Magistrate's order under the Nuisances
Removal Act, it is essential that such orders should be strenuously carried into
effect. Under the latter statute, there is a ready way of enforcing a Magistrate's
order, without the Board performing any of the works, or spending any
money. This has been employed with success in other districts, and consists
in summoning the parties in default for the penalty attaching to their neglect.
They are warned from the Bench that the work must be done, and threatened
with the full penalty of 10s. for every day of further delay.
If I appear to have transgressed the strict line of my province in
offering these suggestions, I trust I may be forgiven on the plea of my zeal for
the welfare of your district, and anxiety that the authority of your Board may
be everywhere vindicated.
The other operations of the Officer of Health have been very miscellaneous.
With the Surveyor, Sanitary Inspector, and sometimes with
members of your Board, he has visited at the cow-sheds and slaughter-houses,
and has given personal instructions on matters that have fallen under his
notice; besides presenting detailed reports on the condition of these establishments
to the Board. In an appendix will be found a set of rules drawn up for
the guidance of the cow-keepers of the district; which have been acted on in
some instances,* but unfortunately will require for the most part to be enforced
by law. Other trades, too, have received visits ; tripe-boilers, fish-friers, and
pork butchers, but as a rule only in consequence of complaints.
* I think it fair to particularize Mr. Milsom's, of Little Wild Street, whose cow-house
has been greatly improved in conscqucncc of instructions from the Board.