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The difference in the table between the number of defects
and nuisances found and abated or remedied is accounted for
by the fact that a number of the premises were visited towards
the end of the year, and there was consequently insufficient
time for the work to be completed.
It was possible during the year for more time to be devoted
to the work of inspecting premises which come under the
Factory and Workshop Act than has been the case in previous
years. Reference to the table will show that 408 premises
are now entered on the register as against 198 at the commencement
of the year, an increase of 210.
In no instance was it necessary to take legal proceedings
to enforce compliance with the requirements set out in the
notices served for the abatement of nuisances.
In addition to the ordinary inspections made of outworkers'
premises, each address contained in the lists received
in the early part of the year, i.e., previous to February, and
not including those received in August, were visited in order
to ascertain if work was still carried on, and if breaches of the
Act had been made by reason of the employer failing to notify
the name and address of the out-worker. In no instance was
this found to be the case.
Water Supply.— The Borough's water supply is derived
through the mains formerly owned by the Southwark and
Vauxhall and the Lambeth Companies. The water is either
well water from Streatham or river water from the Norwood
or Hampton reservoirs.
Alterations have now been made by the Water Board, and
the portions of the district which formerly suffered much inconvenience
owing to insufficient pressure have now generally a
good supply.
The well water both chemically and bacteriologically is
much the purer. Complaints have been received about the
amount of chalk present in the water supplied to parts of the
Borough. This chalk, although not injurious to the material
of boilers, will cause deposit and incrustation to take place
which will necessitate frequent cleansing of domestic boilers.
Both the permanent and temporary hardness of the well
water, as shown in the Metropolitan Water Board's Returns,
is much less than that portion of the Water Board's supply
derived from the Kent wells, but slightly harder than that
derived from river sources.
Careful testing and examinations are made, and each
month a report is presented to the Water Board on the condition
of the Metropolitan Water Supply by the Water
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