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32
ADMINISTRATION.
the work of the past year is that while something has been accomplished towards clearing off the
arrears of improvements which accumulated during the war, much more remains to be done. It is
still very difficult to secure prompt compliance with notices, and undoubtedly the cost of the works
called for is still too high.

There can be no doubt about the increasing necessity for the reconstruction of house drains, a
number of which were laid many years ago when the principles of drain construction were not fully
understood and official supervision less complete. The check upon this class of work which has been
imposed by the aftermath of the war is indicated by comparing the total number of reconstructions
reported during 1911-14 with that for the years 1920-23. In the former years the total was 800 and in
the latter 322.
Soilpipes—On 27th March, 1923, the Public Health Committee recommended the Council (and
the Council so agreed) to ask the County Council to amend the Bye-law under Sec. 202 of the Metropolis
Management Act, 1855, so as to provide for the use of iron soiipipes within as well as outside a
building, such provision to be in the form of an alternative, not exclusive. In November last the
County Council wrote to say that the Bye-law had been amended as desired, and the amended Byelaw
became operative on 2nd January, 1924.
Reconstruction Plans.—The plans deposited during the year increased from 274 in 1922 to 337
last year. There has been a continuous increase in the number received each year since the end of
1918, but the annual total has not yet reached the level of pre-war years. During 1912-14, 1,008 plans
were deposited as compared with 819 during 1921-23. In connection with this part of the work of the
Department 833 letters were sent out during the year, 169 more than in 1922. Some evidence of the
difficulties experienced in these days by the Department in carrying on its work is afforded by comparing
pre-war and post-war experiences. During 1912-14, 2,085 letters were sent, a total differing
but little from the total (2,028) for 1921-23, but in the latter period the plans were 189 fewer. Three
summonses were taken out for failure to supply plans during the past year.
Combined Drainage.—Orders were made during the year under Section 74 of the Metropolis
Management Act, 1855, with respect to new drainage systems to which the following groups of houses
were to be connected:—
Ashworth Road, Nos. 1 to 15 (odd)
Biddulph Road, Nos. 10 and 12
Cambridge Street, Nos. 34, 35 and 35a
Chilworth Mews, Nos 14 to 28 (even)
Conduit Mews, No. 7 and Spring Street, No. 12
Harrow Road, Nos. 484-488 (even)
Harrow Road, Nos. 507-511 (odd)
Maida Vale, No. 133 and Garage in rear
Porchester Terrace, Nos. 37 and 37a
Porchester Terrace, Church House (in rear of No.
36) and Garage (in rear of No. 38a)
Queen's Gardens, Nos. 21 to 24 (consecutive)
The old combined drain serving No. 22a, Market Street, Nos. 1-4, Junction Place and No. 59,
Praed Street, for which no order or approval could be found, was accepted by the owners of the properties
as a private drain and reconstructed by them during the year.
The Council recognised as sewers and reconstructed combined systems serving—
Andover Place, Nos. 13 and 15 Warwick Avenue, Nos. 61 and 63
When a system of combined drainage is found, a letter is addressed to the owners of the properties
connected to such system pointing out the rights which will be vested in the Council if such system
be taken over as a sewer, and the difficulty which may accrue when re-development of the site is undertaken.
It is hoped that such procedure—first adopted last year— will result in owners accepting their
liabilities for the maintenance of combined drains, as undoubtedly was the intention of the Legislature.
In October last the County Council announced their intention to include in their General Powers
Bill of 1924 a clause to extend the protection against liability for the maintenance of unauthorised
combined drains, secured by the Woolwich Borough Council by their Act of 1905, to all Metropolitan
City and Borough Councils.
Sewer Connections.—Last year 110 were reconstructed, either partially or wholly, 49 after
Orders under Section 85 of the Metropolis Local Management Act, 1855, and 61 on the initiative of
the owners of the properties concerned. In 1922 the figures were : Constructed under Orders, 29;
voluntarily, 34.
Dead Drains.—In 1922 the County Council decided to promote legislation to penalise the abandonment
of drains without securely sealing off such drains from the sewer. The decision was not acted