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When you say a large part of Clerkenwell I presume you mean
the major part of it.
17,631. There was no denial made of that statement by Lord
Northampton's agent, or by Lord William Compton?— I am not
aware of it. I think that, as a rule, they have at least two rooms,
a day room and a sleeping room.
17,632. I suppose it turns upon what we mean by a large part
of the parish. I suppose you do not doubt that there are a great
number of cases in Clerkenwell in which people have but one
room ?— It may be so if the rooms are of sufficient size.
17,633. I am afraid it is so without that qualification ?— It may
be. I know that our medical officer, as a rule, looks after these
things, and where he finds that such a case exists he makes a
note of it, and endeavours to stop it, especially if it assumes anything
like a feature of overcrowding, where the law can reach
the owner.
17,634. (Lord Carrington.) Who appoints the sanitary inspectors
and the parish surveyors ?— The Vestry.
16,635. Is that, in your opinion, satisfactory'?—Yes.
17,636. That mode of election leaves them perfectly free to act
independently, in your opinion?— Perfectly. I do not know
what you mean by independently. It leaves them I should say,
to study and act in the best interests of their employers, the
vestry.
17,637. And in the best interests of the poor inhabitants of
the tenement houses as well?— Yes.
17,638. Turning to question 3921, have you ever known an
inspector discharged for neglect of duty ?— Yes.
17,639. Can you give us the name?— I think his name was
W.; an inspector who was discharged some years ago.
17,640. Is that the only instance that you can bring to mind ?
—I think I may say that we discharged a surveyor some years
ago
17,641. Can you give any name?— C. was his name. He did
not give satisfaction to the vestry, and therefore he was called
upon to resign.
17,642. The vicar of Clerkenwell is, 1 believe, ex officio chairman
of the vestry when he attends, is he not ?— Yes.
17,643. Does he ever attend?— Yes.
17,644. Up to last March had he ever attended or taken any
interest in the vestry?— Yes, he always attends upon Easter
Tuesdays, but with that exception he seldom interferes or meddles
with parochial affairs.
17,645. ( The Chairman). That is the usual custom, is it not ? It