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washers. The same objection would apply, more or less, to any single site in the borough.
Much good might be effected by the provision, in convenient localities, of buildings, on a modest
scale, to which the poor in the central and southern districts of the borough might resort for the
purpose of washing clothing, etc.
PUBLIC SANITARY CONVENIENCES.
There are only 22 public urinals in the parish—an inadequate provision, but supplemented,
in a measure, by about 170 external urinals at public-houses. This latter accommodation
is not of a satisfactory sort, as a rule, but it is better than none, and was improved as the
result of proceedings taken by the late Vestry in 1888, and subsequently. There are four sets of
public water-closets, for the male sex only, situated at the rear of the central public library,
Kensington High-street; at the west-end of Westbourne-grove, Notting-hill; in Thurloeplace,
opposite the "Bell and Horns" tavern; and at Lancaster-road, Notting-hill, adjoining
the public library. Sanitary authorities have ample power; section 8S of the Metropolis Management
Act, 1855, enabling them "to provide and maintain urinals, water-closets, and like conveniences
for both sexes in situations where they deem such accommodation to be required."
Suitable sites exist, none better, perhaps, or where provision of the kind is more needed, than in
Kensington High-street, opposite the parish church. Here an underground retiring place for
both sexes might be constructed without giving rise to nuisance in any sense of the word.
Increased powers were conferred by the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, section 44 (2), which
vests the subsoil of roadways in the sanitary authority, who, moreover, have power to compensate
persons injured by the erection of these conveniences near to their houses, etc.
WATER SUPPLY.
No complaint was received during the year with respect to the quality of the water supplied
by the companies who serve the borough. The West Middlesex, the Grand Junction, and the
Chelsea supplies are examined monthly by the public analyst, whose reports thereon are duly
published in the minutes of the proceedings of the Council. Constant supply is given in all parts
of the borough. There is nothing to be added to what was said in the last report in regard to the
cutting-off powers of the companies, which, in my opinion, should be abolished. The London
County Council are still of the opinion that they should be empowered to buy out the companies who
supply the metropolis, and a very great deal more than the metropolitan area; and no doubt will
persist in endeavours to acquire the position of water authority until the question shall have been
settled in some other way. The President of the Local Government Board has announced his
intention to introduce a Bill on the subject in 1902. For the present it may suffice to say, that the
water supplied by the several companies is good enough to satisfy the reasonable requirements of
the consumers, if one may judge from the absence of complaints.
CONCLUSION.
In bringing this report to a conclusion, I desire to acknowledge the valuable assistance
received from Mr. E. R Hill (lately promoted to the position of chief clerk in succession to
Mr. Rudman, resigned), in the collation of statistics, and generally. I desire also to bear testimony
to the good work of the staff, as a whole, and especially to that of the chief sanitary inspector,
Mr. Pettit, and the inspectors generally, which has been carried out efficiently, regard being had
to their limited number, and to the magnitude and variety of the duties devolved on the sanitary
authority by Parliament.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
T. ORME DUDFIELD,
Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, Kensington, W.,
April, 1901.