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pepper 6 samples, one adulterated (fined 10s. and 10s. 6d. costs); of
orange wine 9 samples, all genuine.
Ten samples of quinine wine and 10 samples of iron wine were
taken for analysis—one of the former and five of the latter were not in
accordance with the requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia, so far
as such requirements are specified; but as there does not appear to be
any definite standard for the composition of these wines, no legal
proceedings were taken. The vendors were, however, informed of the
results of the analyses.
The cod-liver oil cases which commenced in 1904, were concluded
in 1905, all three summonses being dismissed, the Bench not being
satisfied that the colour test laid down in the British Pharmacopoeia for
the differentiation of foreign fish oils from cod-liver oil was adequate,
upon which test the Chelsea Public Analyst relied, his conclusions also
being confirmed by the chemist for the Inland Revenue Commissioners
at Somerset House.
Water Supply.—During the year a daily examination of the water
drawn from the King's-road main of the Metropolitan Water Board has
been made at the Town Hall, as regards the temperature of the water
and its appearance in a 2-ft. tube. The highest temperature attained
during the year was 71° F. during the last week of July—the same
temperature that was attained in the summer of 1904. The lowest
temperature reached was 39° F. during the last week of January.
Throughout the year the water was clear and free from any turbidity,
with the exception of two days—the 24th and 25th November—when
it was slightly cloudy.
Water Supply to Tenement Houses.—Early in the year the
London County Council wrote to the Borough Council to call attention
to the decision of a magistrate at the Woolwich Police Court to the
effect that the supply of water from a tap in the yard to a house let out
in tenements is not a proper and sufficient supply within the meaning of
Section 48 of the Public Health (London) Act, and expressing the hope
of the London County Council that the Borough Council would take all
possible steps to secure the provision of a proper and sufficient supply of
water for the tenants of every floor of a tenement house.
I reported fully on this matter to the Public Health Committee—
a report which was subsequently presented to the Council on the
8th March. Since that time a decision of the Marylebone metropolitan
stipendiary magistrate has been given on the question, which is exactly
the reverse of the decision of the Woolwich magistrate; and it is evident
that before any steps can be taken—in the words of the London County
Council—to secure the provision of a proper and sufficient supply of
water for the tenants of every floor of a tenement house, it will be
necessary to have an amendment of Section 48 of the Public Health
(London) Act, requiring in terms the provision of water supply and
water supply fittings to every floor of a tenement house, which is let in
separate tenancies on the various floors.
In the report above alluded to, I also pointed out that a plentiful
supply of water within easy reach of the upper tenements of a house
would not carry with it its full advantage, unless means were also