View report page

68
the Local Sanitary Authorities are being usurped by the
London County Council, without previous (official) notice thereof
having been received from the Clerk of the Council, or other
responsible Chief Officer concerned.
Putting aside the questionable conduct of the London County
Council in acting in this manner, and having regard to the fact
that the Loudon County Council has no statutory powers by
which its officers can enter upon private premises for the purpose
of examining and testing drains and sanitary fittings (except in
default of a Sanitary Authority), a communication might, with
advantage, be sent to the London County Council, protesting
against their action.
It will be noted that in connection with the London County
Council and the examination of drains, instructions have been
given to the officers to water test the drains—a most severe test.
The Borough Council, and the late vestry, have always held
(rightly, I think) that, though the water test is undoubtedly a
trustworthy test, it is severe, and therefore should not be
applied indiscriminately to all drains—at least, not without the
written consent of the owner or owners concerned. There are
but few new drain that would be found to stand such a severe test,
and it is even questionable if the London County Council
Schools would stand such an one. It goes without saying, therefore,
that I he majority (if not all) the drains of the Non-provided
Schools will be found wanting, and large financial outlays will
result in consequence of their relaying and reconstruction. It
may be even that the water test itself will make defects in the
drains of certain of the Schools, as it is well known that such a
test has the power of bursting joints and even cracking, at times,
pipes. The London County Council's position legally may
be a matter for future consideration by the Courts should any
Mauagers raise the question as to alleged trespass, and damage
(if any) done. Time alone will show this.
I feel it my duty, as Medical Officer of Health, to lay the full
facts before the Borough Council, and to ask for instructions.
It will probably be stated by some that the London County
Council decided to act in this way on account of certain
Sanitary Authorities in London failing, or being likely to fail,
to carry out the duties required of them, but such an argument
does not apply to Lambeth Borough, whose Council is, at all
times, desirous of keeping abreast of the times in sanitary