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matters complained of were thoroughly investigated and dealt with by
the Inspectors is fully borne out by the records made in their official
journals, which show the locality of every house inspected, the nature
of the defects found therein, the date notices were served to remedy
these defects, and the names and addresses of the persons on whom
such notices were served, and also entries to the effect that the work
was satisfactorily carried out. These journals can be produced, and
are a standing refutation to many of the statements made by the
Mansion House Council. Such defects as are common to both reports
can either be accounted for in the manner stated above, or else were
of such a character as could not be dealt with under the provisions of
the Public Health Act.
It is worthy of note that although in the first report 460 houses
were said to be without dust-bins, and in the second report 474 houses
are said to be provided with " receptacles of a sort; " in only a single
case (and that an empty house) does the inspector of the Mansion
House Council appear to have found " Any accumulation or deposit
which is a nuisance or injurious to health."—Vide 38 & 39 Victoria
cap. 55 s. 91.
With regard to the latter part of the letter of the Mansion House
Council received from the Local Government Board, referring to the
closing of certain houses in Poplar Street, Canning Town, it may be
mentioned that upon the receipt of the first report, the premises
Nos. 30, 32, 34, and 36, Poplar Street, were inspected, and notices
(copies of which I submit herewith) to abate the nuisances which were
found to exist, were served upon the owner on 10th May, 1894.
These notices were complied with, and the work satisfactorily carried
out. The description of these houses as given in the report of July,
1895, show that the defects then existing were not of a serious
character. The premises were again visited by the district inspector in
the early part of November last, when it was found that the houses
had again got into a bad condition, and notices (copies of which I
submit herewith) were served on 6th November, 1895, requiring the
owner to remedy the defects. As the said owner failed to comply
with the notices, I reported the matter to your Committee, and acting