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'(2). The adoption and enforcement of tenement regulations, and
'the institution of systematic house-to-house inspection.'
"As Medical Officer of Health, I have carefully considered this part of the
report, and having made examination myself into the work which has been
done by the various officials, I have come to the conclusion that the amount
of work to be overtaken is really more than the staff, as at present constituted,
can satisfactorily overtake; and I would here take leave to say that I believe
every member thereof has been, and is doing his utmost to keep the parish in
a healthy condition. The praise bestowed upon Mr. Alexander by the
Commissioners for the quality of the work done under his supervision, is in
my opinion well deserved, and I have been much gratified to find in going
through the parish that the standard of excellence which has been adopted is
in every respect a high one; but it is physically impossible for the staff,
however hard they may work, to maintain that systematic inspection of
houses which the Commissioners considered necessary. In poor localities,
experience has proved it is only by frequent inspections that nuisances can be
prevented, and especially is this the case where the houses are built of
inferior materials and in an inferior manner. It was stated at the enquiry
that every house in the parish ought to be visited by an inspector at least
once a quarter, and many in the worst localities should be rapidly inspected
every week, but to call at each house in the parish but once a year would give
a man steady work for four hours a day, if he gave only five minutes to each
house, without taking into consideration the time occupied in getting to
various parts of the parish. But where work is ordered to be done, visits have
to be paid again and again to ensure the proper carrying out of instructions.
"Present duties of staff.
"Mr. Alexander (Chief Sanitary Inspector), besides supervising the work
of the staff, has devoted himself largely to house-to-house visitation as
already stated.
"Mr. Lear (Assistant Inspector) inquires into all cases of infectious
diseases which are notified, sees to their removal, and the subsequent disinfection
of the rooms, bedding, clothing, etc., and examines the houses to discover
sanitary defects present, and takes steps to have them remedied; he also
takes charge of part of the daily complaints sent to the Town Hall, and
examines into them. On Saturday evenings he takes part with Mr. Styles in
an inspection of the five markets held in the streets, and on alternate Sundays
attends to the clearing of the same.
"Mr. Stiles (second Assistant Inspector) has charge of the collection of
samples under the Food and Drugs Act; superintends the street markets
during the week-days, Saturday evening included, and clears them on
alternate Sundays; superintends dustiug, scavenging and watering of streets
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