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The Board took exception to some of these provisions, chiefly to
that relating to the width of the area. They suggested that it was
unnecessary to require a width of four feet in every part, and that the
case would be met by prescribing a minimum width of three feet, and a
mean width of four feet. To this the Council replied that the minimum
width of four feet was already required by the Public Health Act, and
the introduction of another and a lower standard would lead to misunderstanding
and difficult}' in administration. At the time of writing
the regulations still require the confirmation of the Board.
The Water Supply of Tenement Houses.
In former Annual Reports an account was given of the action
taken to improve the water supply of tenement houses under the powers
conferred upon London sanitary authorities bv Section 78 of the London
County Council (General Powers) Act, 1907, which empowers the
sanitary authority to require a proper and sufficient supply of water on
each storey of a tenement house that is separately occupied. In many
London tenement houses the only water supply available is from a tap
in the basement or yard, and it is not surprising that in such houses the
tenants of the upper floors practice a strict economy in the use of water,
even to the extent of falling short of any decent standard of cleanliness.
A plentiful supply of pure water is one of the first requisites of a healthy
life, but in many tenement houses this requisite is not fulfilled, nor
until the General Powers Act of 1907 was passed had sanitary authorities
any power to insist on its fulfilment. This Act, however, has led
to a considerable improvement. The number of houses dealt with in
Hampstead during the last three years is as follows : -
1908 24
1909 85
1910 99
In each house a water-tap and a glazed earthenware sink were
provided on each floor. These alterations have been greatly appreciated
by the tenants, and have had a beneficial effect in improving the
general sanitarv condition of the houses.