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cleansing, and were a source of danger to the people drinking the water. They were
therefore removed, and the constant water supply being relied on, draw-off taps were
affixed to the rising main for the supply of the dwellings. It was subsequently found
that owing to the height above the ground, the pressure in the water company's main
was frequently insufficient to ensure a proper supply during the day time to the
tenements in the upper two storeys, without modification of the water fittings.
Section 48 (1) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, states that "an oocupied
house without a proper and sufficient supply of water shall be a nuisance, liable to
be dealt with summarily under this Act, and if it is a dwelling-house shall be deemed
unfit for habitation." Notices were served by the chief sanitary inspector under
this section on the owner with respect to each tenement to provide a proper supply.
The requirements of the notices not being attended to, proceedings were taken before
a magistrate at Worship Street, who, being satisfied that the premises were without
a proper water supply, made an order for the abatement of the nuisance. Under the
supervision of Inspector Quelch the necessary modification of the water fittings was
made, and no further complaints as to want of water have been received from Penny
Bank Chambers.
The summons against the owner of Nos. 91 and 93, Whiston Street, was taken
out by Inspector Firth in consequence of non-compliance with the requirements of a
notice as to a drain, served by order of the Public Health Committee, under the
Metropolis Local Management Act. The proceedings failed, as the magistrate held
that they should not have been commenced until they had received the approval of
the Vestry. This decision is to be tested.*
HOUSES CLOSED.
The following list comprises the houses which were closed in consequence of the
service of sanitary notices, as being unfit for habitation, or in order to enable the
necessary works to be executed to put them in a sanitary condition:—
Hoxton Residences Nos. 9 to 24.
New Norfolk Street Nos. 4 and 5.
Rivington Street Nos. 14, 22, 24, and 26.
Sun Street Nos. 33, 19, and 21.
Hearne Street Nos. 7 and 9.
Lower John Street Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9.
Hoxton Street No. 219.
Mill Row No. 70.
Nancy Street No. 3.
* The Vestry appealed to the Queens Bench Division from tho decision of tho Magistrate. Tho
point raised was whether a notice to repair a drain, served by order of the Public Health Committee,
and a summons served for default in doing tho work before tho Vestry had approved those acts of tho
Committee, were valid. The Court (Hawkins and Wright, J.J.) allowod tho Vestry's Appeal, and
ordered tho defendant to pay tho Vestry's costs.