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naptha, fireworks, gunpowder — fires in houses and
buildings, street traffic, steam boilers, fixed or locomotive
engines; all these matters ought to be under a
thorough and periodical inspection by a local officer.
One of the above-mentioned, " Metropolis Buildings
Management Bill," appears to have the gravest defects
in its sanitary aspect. Under its present shape
it does not seem calculated to prevent the various
evils that have escaped the Act now in operation.
A Building Act ought at least to guarantee that
houses should be erected with due regard to all the
essential conditions for securing health, both in the
structure itself, its foundations and surroundings,
also for ventilation, drainage, and w.c. accommodation.
The new buildings of this Parish are not so flimsy as
many that I could name ; but few of the new houses
are massive and firm, some are even built upon garden
mould, or old " slop shoots." These thin and flimsy
shells of lath and plaster, truly merit the term, " slop
buildings." A dangerous moisture and miasma arises
from houses built upon such an unhealthy foundation.
Many instances of point have come before my notice.
There ought to be clauses sufficiently stringent to
prevent the mortar used both for building and for the
plaster of walls, from being made of slop refuse or
road scrapings, which contain nearly 20 per cent. of
animal excrement. To keep badly built houses in
good sanitary condition, landlords are necessitated in
making a constant and vexatious outlay, which so in
proportion increases the rental. A remedy too ought
to be provided for the formation of proper roadways