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general condition. We have for now some years pursued a settled
policy, and we find that the purveyors are much more amenable
than formerly. But I have still to deplore that it is not necessary for
plans of new milk shops (and indeed of all new buildings intended
for use by purveyors of perishable foods) to be submitted to the Local
Sanitary Authority for a certificate of suitability. Nor should the
process of registering milkshops be the solemn farce it at present is.
It is illegal for a dairyman or milk-seller to carry on his
business without first securing registration, but the Sanitary
Authority cannot refuse to register, whatever be the state of the
premises which it is proposed to use, without abuse of their
statutory powers.
The invasion of the neighbourhood by itinerant milk vendors
who peddle a mixture of cow dung, water and skim milk, is a great
nuisance, and as these gentry are particularly elusive it is difficult
to bring them to book.
Still, we do everything possible to demonstrate to them that
Barnes is not the place for them, and last summer they were less
in evidence than formerly.
Although other factors have to be considered, it is, I believe,
in the constant care that has been given to the supervision of the
milk trade in this district that we may find one cause at least for
the fact that our infantile death-rate has been in the last ten years
reduced from 134 to 69 per 1,000 births. In 1898, the rate was
184 per 1,000, and in earlier years even higher.
Places where food other than milk is prepared,
stored, or exposed for sale and the articles of food
therein, are kept under very careful observation. The number
has lately increased, and at present there are ten eating-houses
and eight fried fish shops in the district.