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reported against?— I think he did so once, but he has not done
so latterly.
17,586. It was included in a scheme, I think?— Yes. These
little places depend very much upon the way in which they are
kept by the occupants. A good many people can live in small
cottages and keep them nice, while other people keep them like
pigsties.
17,587. If you remember the situation of these cottages, down
steps, you will remember that they are very damp and dark ?—
They are rather low.
17,588. At question 1434 Mrs. Bates was asked to whom that
property belonged, and she answered, "To Mr. Ball." I do not
know that I need enlarge much upon evidence of this kind about
Mr. Ball's houses. Similar evidence was given by Mr. Dawes
and one or two other of the clergy who have lived in the
neighbourhood for some time?— Before you leave that, may I
just say with regard to the death rate of Clerkenwell, that our
medical officer some years ago in his annual report gave a return
made by the Registrar General of the death rate of the various
parishes in the metropolis, and there, singularly enough,
Clerkenwell was within 9 or 10 of the top. That was 20 years
ago.
17,589. Clerkenwell has been always famous from its great
height for its very healthy situation, has it not ?— That may be
alleged as regards any parish that happens to be in a healthy
state. We say it is from good sanitation.
17,590. But you stand very much higher than some of the
neighbouring parishes, do you not?— Some portion of the parish
does, but a great deal of the parish lies very low. We say that
it is good sanitation and constant watching over the condition of
the pariah.
17,591. (Mr. Godwin). Did the medical officer divide that
report upon the death rate of Clerkenwell in any way; did he
show the various divisions of the parish, or did he merely give
the average?— He gave the average; he gave the divisions as
well.
17,592. Do you remember what was the highest death rate in
one of the divisions?— I could not say at this moment.
17,593. Have you heard that it was nearly 40?— No, I have
not. I do not think it is possible.
17,594. Are you prepared to say that it was not?— No, I
would not without the documents before me. Let me make one
further observation. It happened to come to the knowledge of
the Vestry last night that a report had just been presented to
the Asylums Board, giving the deaths per 10,000 from cholera