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further, to the opinion of the Medical Officer of Health, which is in accord with our own
that if a system of periodic house-to-house inspection were carried on in the Parish fully
one-third of the houses would require to be thus dealt with. When further consuderation
is had for the necessity that many of these houses should be inspected more than once in
each year, and that each house found faulty, would necessitate subsequent visits on the
part of the inspector, upon whom would devolve also other duties, we are satisfied the
employment of one inspector, with an assistant, as at present, is quite inadequate for the
requirements of the district.
We may, therefore, briefly summarise the immediate sanitary requirements of
Rotherhithe, as follows:—
1. The re-organisation of the sanitary department so that the work of the officers is
more largely superintended or controlled by the Medical Officer of Health.
2. The institution of a system of house-to-house inspection in the district, especially
in those parts occupied by the poorer people. This, in our opinion, would
necessitate the employment of three inspectors until the condition of the Parish
is materially improved.
3. The better keeping of the complaint book and of the record of the various steps
taken by the Vestry or its officers, with the result.
4. The enforcement of regulations made under the Sanitary Act of 1866, and the
Diseases Prevention Act of 1874, as to houses let in lodgings.
5. The exercise by the Vestry and Metropolitan Board of Works (London County
Council) respectively, of the powers conferred by the Artizans' and Labourers'
Dwellings Act, 1868-82, and the Metropolis Local Management Act, and
Building Acts (Amendment) Act, for the removal of structural conditions
rendering houses unfit for occupation.
6. The more complete exercise of the powers under the Nuisance Removal Acts, and
the Metropolitan Local Management Acts, for keeping houses in a clean and
wholesome state, for providing water supply to waterclosets, and for the better
paving of yards.
7. The making of bye-laws by the Metropolitan Board of Works (London County
Council) as to house drains and fittings under section 202 of the Metropolis
Local Management Act, 1855.
In the course of our inspection we have received every assistance from Mr. J. Bulmer
and Mr. Astley Cooper, and our thanks are due to the Vestry for the use of the Board
Room, and also to their officers, who supplied us with all the information required.
We have, &c.,
(Signed) D. CUBITT NICHOLS,
SHIRLEY F. MURPHY.
To the Secretary of State for the Home Department,
Home Office, Whitehall.