London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Shoreditch 1892
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch, Parish of St. Leonard]
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154
The maintenance and keeping in repair of the lamps, columns, brackets and
fittings, re-glazing, fixing and fitting up new lamps, columns and brackets,
lighting, extinguishing and cleaning the lamps, is now done by the Vestry's own
staff of workmen, consisting of 16 lamplighters, 3 spare men, one fitter and a
labourer; extra men are put on during the summer months to paint the urinals
and tree guards, &c., and any additional works. Each lamplighter has on an
average 105 lamps to light, extinguish, and clean; they are started night and
morning from 3 mustering places in the parish by a foreman, who keeps the time.
One of the lamplighters died during the year after a short illness, and the senior
spare man has been promoted to his place.
PRIVATE LIGHTING.
The quantity of gas consumed during the year is as follows:—
| DEPARTMENT. | Gas consumption in cubic feet. | Total Cost. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | s. | d. | ||
| Town Hall and General Offices | 1,181,100 | 183 | 17 | 8 |
| Disinfecting Chambers | 32,900 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Public Mortuary | 2,300 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
| De Beauvoir Wharf | 425,800 | 67 | 16 | 10 |
| Reliance Wharf | 88,500 | 13 | 18 | 11 |
| Kiosk Convenience | 98,400 | 15 | 11 | |
| Total | 1,829,000 | 286 | 18 | 5 |
ADVERTISING ON LAMP COLUMNS.
All the lamp columns are now let for advertising purposes, except those in
Great Eastern and Old Streets, to Messrs. Heath, Limited, of Manchester, for the
sum of £400 per annum, who are to paint the lamps and columns and brackets.
The use of the columns in Great Eastern and Old Streets, formerly let to Mr.
S. R. Stevenson for advertising purposes, has now been discontinued.