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Camberwell, we ought to have from 15,000 to 20,000
inspections annually, and that all houses needing periodical
inspection should be inspected at least once during that
period.
"The most important change that I would venture to
suggest is, that the present staff of Inspectors should be
doubled, and that to each district should be allotted an
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Inspector and an Assistant Inspector, the Inspector being
responsible for all the work done in his district, the
Assistant (acting under him) performing the duties involving
least responsibility. The plan of having two Inspectors,
thus working in association, rather than any other
plan of increasing their number, commends itself for several
reasons. (1.) It is always necessary when an Inspector is
obtaining articles under the Food and Drugs Act, that he
shall have some one to accompany him. This is at present
done by hiring some man for the occasion. The duty might
be performed by the Assistant. (2.) It is absolutely necessary
when drains are being tested that two Inspectors should
co-operate. At present when such testing takes place, one
Inspector from another district has to be taken away for
the purpose from his proper duties. (3.) The Magistrates
of late (properly, as I think) have required that, when an
Inspector gives evidence before them in respect of any
important case, his evidence shall be corroborated by
that of another Inspector. This duty, again, has had to be
performed by taking an Inspector from his ordinary duties,
and might be more conveniently and economically performed
by an assistant. (4.) The Assistant, among other
duties, might serve notices. Further, Assistant Inspectors
should be young men learning their duties, and would, I