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98
PUBLIC SANITARY CONVENIENCES.
There are only 18 public urinals in the borough—an inadequate provision; supplemented,
however, 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: it was improved, moreover, as the result
of proceedings taken by the late Vestry in 1888, and subsequently. There are two sets of public
water closets, for the male sex only, situated, respectively, at the rear of the central public library,
Kensington High-street; and at Lancaster-road, adjoining the public library ; and three for both
sexes; viz: at Brompton-road by the Oratory; at the west end of Westbourne-grove, and at Talbotroad.
Sanitary authorities have power (under Section 88 of the Metropolis Management Act,
1855), "to provide and maintain urinals, water closets, and like conveniences, for both sexes, in
situations where they deem such accommodation to be required." Increased powers were conferred
by the Public Health (London) Act, 1891; Section 44 (2) of 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.
Public Lavatories for Women.—Arising out of a complaint by one of the Council's lady
sanitary inspectors, with reference to the improper use, as water-closets, of the free urinettes provided
for women at the lavatory at Talbot-road, an enquiry was made as to the extent of free
accommodation provided in other boroughs, which resulted in the submission of a report by Miss
de Chaumont, printed in my annual report for 1905 (page 102). In the result the Works
Committee decided to provide free accommodation at each of the underground conveniences for
women professing inability to pay the usual fee.
Domestic Sanitary Conveniences.—The 26th by-law of the County Council requires the
landlord or owner of any lodging-house to provide and maintain in connection with such house,
water-closet . . . accommodation in the proportion of not less than one water-closet . . .
for every twelve persons. At a certain number of houses, the inhabitants of which exceeded
twelve in number a second water-closet was provided. In some instances owners preferred to
reduce the number of persons to twelve, or fewer, rather than incur the expense of erecting a second
closet.
Separate Sanitary Conveniences for the Two Sexes.—Section 38 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891, enacts that where persons of both sexes are employed at a factory, workshop, or
workplace, separate sanitary conveniences for persons of each sex shall be provided; but no standard
of requirement has been made as regards London. The Home Secretary has issued an Order prescribing
the accommodation to be provided in extra-Metropolitan factories and workshops. This
subject was dealt with by the delegates of the Metropolitan Borough Councils at the Conference
in July 1904, and a resolution passed recommending standards desirable to be adopted by sanitary
authorities in enforcing the provisions of the section. The more satisfactory course would be
to obtain an Order from the Home Secretary applicable to the Metropolis.
HYGIENIC STREET PAVING.
Little progress was made during the year in giving effect to recommendations made by the
Public Health Committee for the paving with asphalte of roads named in preceding annual reports,
but in connection with the refuse destructor, machinery has been provided for the manufacture of
"clinker-asphalte" blocks, for the paving of roads in lieu of asphalte. An experimental piece of
paving laid down at Ledbury road appears to be wearing satisfactorily. It is an interesting development,
for should expectations be realized there would appear to be almost no limit to the use of this
material for the paving of the roadways in side streets.
As regards the cost of hygienic street paving, a report presented to the Council by the Works
Committee in 1906 shows that a tender from the French Asphalte Company for laying compressed
asphalte in certain streets was, for 1½ inches of asphalte on concrete 9s. 6d. per yard, or 2
inches of asphalte 11s. 6d. per yard, the Council executing any necessary excavating and carting;
the Company moreover undertaking to maintain the roadways for a period of five years free of charge.
The Company's tender was accepted subject to their undertaking to maintain the roadways (save in
exceptional cases) for a period of ten years free of charge. It remains to be seen what is the relative
cost of the clinker-asphalte paving, which time alone can show, the question of durability being
an essential item in the calculation.
PAVING OF YARDS.
A good many yards were paved," in conformity with the provisions of the Council's tenth
by-law. This is a work that might with advantage be considerably extended as being necessary
"for the prevention or remedy of insanitary conditions"—a fact sometimes lost sight of. That
paving is "necessary" for this purpose is indubitable, and the subject is deserving of the attention
of sanitary authorities; by whom, probably, more would be done, were due weight attached to the