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17
Bloomsbury. The effluvia from this slaughter-house are reported to be
offensive to some of the neighbours. This slaughter-house smell cannot be
entirely subdued by attention to drainage and cleanliness in consequence of
the large number of cattle and sheep killed. The owner, I am informed,
slaughters for two or more shops.
Bake-houses.—These have been kept, generally, in a clean and wholesome
state; where defects have been found the owners have promptly carried
out the suggestions of your Inspectors.
Cellars.—Several families have been removed from underground kitchens
and cellars during the year. The decision given by Mr. Yaughan by which
the occupier was made liable has greatly facilitated the action of the
Inspectors. Both the owner and the occupier have this year been served
with notice, and in this way the co-operation of the owner has been secured.
It has been thought desirable to prejudice the owner as little as possible in
our efforts to enforce the law, and to abolish a great evil. In some instances
the assistance of the owner has been of much advantage to us in ejecting a
refractory tenant.
Workshops.—These are visited only upon complaint being made; otherwise
we do not interfere. "The Workshop Regulation Act, 1867," is
excellent in its aim; but its machinery is not well devised. Powers of entry
to inspect workshops are given both to the officers of the local authority and
to any inspector and sub-inspector of factories; but in the former case the
Medical Officer of Health or other person must obtain an order from a Justice,
whilst an inspector of factories can enter without such an order, whenever
any person is at work in the establishment. This difference as to powers of
entry and inspection seems to show that the intention of the framers of the
Act was to place its execution chiefly in the hands of the inspectors of
factories; the local officers' duties being made supplementary to theirs.
Again, the carrying out of the important provisions which relate to the
education of children employed in workshops and to the disqualification of
teachers rests exclusively with the inspectors of factories.
Sewers.—New sewers have been constructed in Turnstile and Princes
Street, Little Queen Street; and each house has been provided with a new
9 inch drain. New sewers have also been made in Marchmont Place, and
Chapel Place, Little Coram Street.
Bad Food.—Inspector "Webb has seized one parcel of fish during the
year, and Inspector Dixon 12 parcels of bad meat, 31 parcels of fruit, and 11
of bad fish, making a total of 55 parcels.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
GEORGE ROSS, M.D.
June 1st, 1870.