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91. The sewers are still flushed—if at all—only by water
carts. Automatic flushing tanks continue to be a desideratum,
specially for some of the low-lying flat sewers.
92. Drains at the Woolwich Union Workhouse.—A foul
smell having been observed in the Receiving Ward of the
Workhouse, the Chief Inspector examined the drains and
found that this ward had been built over a drain which was
very defective, and on which there was a defective manhole
where a stoppage had occurred, converting the manhole into
a cesspool.
When the whole course and branches of this drain were
examined, by openings in 15 places, the joints of 48 out of 50
pipes were found defective.
The drain under the Receiving Ward is now being re-laid.
93. Houses unfit for occupation.—Proceedings were taken
under the Housing of the Working Classes Act, Part II., for
the closure of 49—53, Red Lion Lane, a block of back to back
houses of great age, and in a very dirty and dilapidated condition.
There was no through ventilation, the upstair rooms
were only 6 feet high, the windows insufficient, and three
houses were without a proper and sufficient water supply.
The magistrate made a closing order with costs.
94. Proceedings were also taken, under the Public Health
Act, against the owners of 11, Princes Road, which was in my
opinion so damp as to be unfit for habitation.
The Magistrate, however, who first heard the case, took
rather a curious view of it. The tenant, who gave evidence,
had occupied the house some years, in spite of its being so