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In each case the illegal occupation of the room was discontinued,
but, in one case, only after legal proceedings had been taken.
In this case the defendant was fined. One of the underground
rooms dealt with forms part of the caretaker's quarters at a group
of flats. This room was illegally occupied some time ago, but was
vacated upon the owners receiving a notice from the Council. Late
in last year, however, it was again discovered to be occupied, and
notice was again served, and the owners agreed to carry out certain
structural alterations to meet the requirements of the Council.
Unfortunately it is by no means uncommon to find the caretakers of
flat dwellings illegally put into occupation of underground rooms.
In building flats the provision of dwelling accommodation for the
caretaker seems occasionally to be disregarded. Certain undesirable
underground rooms are constructed. which are originally stated to be
intended to be used as store-rooms, but when the dwellings are
occupied the rooms become the home of the caretaker. At the
present time four underground dwellings of this kind are being dealt
with by the Health Department. In one case the rooms were so
dark that artificial light was necessary during the whole of the day.
Drainage Work.
The bye-laws of the London County Council that require
that plans and written particulars of drainage construction and
alteration shall be deposited with the Sanitary Authority, came into
operation in August, 1903, and from that date to the end of 1906
the Council has approved of 220 plans for the drainage of new
buildings, and 1787 plans for alterations, etc., to drains of existing
premises.
During the year 746 notices of drainage reconstruction or
alteration were received, and in 578 cases the work necessitated the
deposit of plans and written particulars. In 389 of these latter
cases the work could not be delayed until the Council's approval of
the plans had been received, and the prescribed "urgency" notice
was therefore, submitted by the builders, and the plans, etc.,
deposited at a later date.
Of the 578 notices of drainage alterations, etc., requiring the
deposit of plans, 309 related to work that involved the entire