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102
CHAPEL OF REST FOR THE DEAD.
With a view to correct the evil dealt with in the preceding paragraph, I recommended (No.
3 report, 29th March, 1902), the provision of a mortuary chapel at North Kensington. The grounds
for this recommendation were fully set out in the annual report for 1902, page 124. The Council,
upon the advice of the Public Health Committee, adopted the recommendation ; and also my
further recommendation to place the building at the south-east corner of Avondale Park, adjacent
to the park-keepers residence. The building, completed at a cost of about £1,300, comprises a
mortuary chapel, two waiting rooms for mourners, suitably furnished, sanitary conveniences, etc.
During the year 66 bodies were admitted. The regulations framed for the management of the
chapel, which is under the charge of the park-keeper, were printed in the annual report for 1904.
WATER SUPPLY.
Metropolitan Water Board: Their Cutting-off Powers and Practice.—Reference
has been made in these reports extending over 26 years, to the objectionable practice
of the (late) Waterworks Companies of cutting off the domestic supply of water from dwellinghouses
on account of non-payment of the rate—a subject fully dealt with in the annual report for
1906 (page 115). The matter had been brought to the attention of the Metropolitan Borough
Councils towards the close of 1906 by the Islington Borough Council, and an explanation by the
Metropolitan Board was shortly after addressed to the Borough Councils. Under date 25th
February, 1907, the Board circulated an "Extract from report of Finance Committee," on "Withdrawal
of Supplies" the material portion of which was as follows:—
"It is a fact, no doubt, that to some extent, the Board are continuing the practice of the Metropolitan
Water Companies in this matter, but we think there is an essential difference in the present practice, inasmuch
as the power of cutting off for non-payment of rates is now very sparingly used, whereas with the Companies
it was almost the only method of recovery.
" We are fully alive to the objections against the practice of cutting off supplies, and our Sub-Committee,
who examine the list of defaulters, at once recognised the force of the objections by instituting, as far as
circumstances would permit, legal proceedings in lieu thereof, and arrangements are being made whereby
summary proceedings for the recovery of arrears will be taken in the great majority of cases.
" Considerable administrative changes have had to be adopted in order to modify the practice of the
Companies, and these are being carried out as rapidly as possible with the view of reducing the necessity of
disconnecting supplies.
" We would, however, point out that the effect of our operations has been to considerably reduce the
number of cutting off notices issued, and that the process of reduction will be continued as rapidly as
circumstances permit.
" We would suggest that if at any time the local authorities find that the disconnection of a supply is
likely to occasion the slightest danger to the public health, they should direet their officials to communicate
with the Board's officials, who would promptly act in concert with them in order to obviate the possibility of
the danger referred to."
The Finance Committee further state that—
"No supply is cut off for non-payment of rates—
(a) Without an order of the Committee after a full enquiry into the whole of the circumstances.
(b) Where the premises are known to be occupied by more than one family.
(c) Where inability to pay by reason of real poverty is established.
(d) When the owner and not the occupier is responsible by law or agreement for the payment of the
water rate."
They add (inter alia)—
(1) " That notice to cut off is sent to both the Clerk and the Medical Officer of Health of the Local
Authority concerned, instead of to one of those officers as formerly.*
(3) That with a view to giving the Local Authority information as to the reason for disconnection [they]
have arranged that the notice sent to them shall in future declare in all cases the reason for the withdrawal."
The Board made a point of the smallness of the number of the cuttings-off for non-payment
of the rate, and these cases are few in comparison with the cuttings-off for other causes; e.g. defective
fittings leading to waste of water. But they apparently overlooked the fact that not only is
" an occupied house without a proper and sufficient supply of water" a " nuisance liable to be
* The Board are required, " in any case, within 24 hours after exercising " the right to cut off, to " give notice thereof in
writing to the Sanitary Authority of the District in which the house is situated," under liability to a fine not exceeding ten
pounds for default.