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9
In reply, the contention of the Vestry was :—
1. That having regard to the density of the population, the general death-rate
of the parish is not abnormally high.
2. That the number of sanitary improvements of houses throughout the whole
parish effected during the past few years shows that the sanitary staff is both
vigilant and efficient.
3. That the decline in the mortality returns from typhoid fever which has
been marked and continuous since 1880, is positive evidence of the value of these
operations in causing a large reduction in preventable sickness in the parish.
The Commissioners speak in praise of the quality of the Vestry's work, but complain
of its insufficiency in quantity. They briefly summarise the immediate sanitary requirements
of Shoreditch, as follows :—
1. An extension of the work of subsoil and house drainage, the det.iils of
which have been so well executed under the supervision of the Vestry's sanitary
staff, and an enlargement of the staff to enable this and similar work to be
effected. To this end the appointment of an additional inspector is imperative.
The staff for the parish would then consist of :—
A Medical Officer of Health Two Assistant Inspectors
A Public Analyst A Clerk
A Chief Inspector A Disinfecting Officer
A Second Inspector
2. The adoption and enforcement of tenement regulations, and the institution
of systematic house-to-house inspection.
3. The more complete exercise of the powers of the Nuisance Removal and
other Sanitary Acts by necessary magisterial proceedings.
The Commissioners also complain that they found the paving and drainage of the
roads and streets (especially some of the smaller streets) to be very defective. They
point out that there are no tenement house regulations in force, and severely condemn
many of the so-called 'Model blocks' of dwellings built on the flat system, but for the
presence of these the Vestry cannot be held responsible, as they have no power to
prevent them.
The Report lias been forwarded by the Home Secretary to the Vestry, with a
request that they may take immediate action thereon, and the recommendations are now
under the consideration of the Vestry.