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daring the last few weeks, shews that there are 80 of these places
in the parish; that in 17 only is the bake-house in the basement;
that in 63 it is behind the house or on the ground floor
of the house; and that in 17 of this latter number it is entirely
detached. As regards cleanliness the results were not altogether
satisfactory; 28 were more or less dirty, some very much so;
and a few were more or less out of repair. In respect of ventilation,
the air in the bake-houses was in most cases found hot
and oppressive; but all had means of ventilation, some abundant,
and none so defective as to call for actual interference. In one
or two cases defective privies or water-closets adjoined the bakehouse.
There were none in which, so far as we could ascertain,
the bake-house itself was made a sleeping apartment,
although there was one that some little time prior to my own
visit certainly had contained a bed. There was none even
in which the sleeping apartment was on the same floor; but
there were 9 in which a bed-room was placed above the bakehouse.
We did not learn that any lad under 18 was employed
in any one of the bake-houses between the hours of 9 p.m. aud
5 a.m.; and, indeed, a large number of the bakers do not seem
to begin work before four or five in the morning. On the
whole, with the exception of want of cleanliness, the condition
of bake-houses throughout the parish seems to be satisfactory.
There is no doubt that those occupying the basement are for
the most part objectionably placed, and have the least efficient
means of ventilation. It should be added that many of the
bake-houses were very good."
I may here mention that during the year small-pox became
unusually prevalent, and that much pains was taken to arrest
the disease. The Board of Guardians gave great assistance and
encouragement in the matter; and by their appointed vaccinators
all the charity and national schools and several other
schools were inspected, and the children in them, who were in