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116
the present winter before taking action so that, should the magistrate
desire to see the yards, he would then be able to judge how far the
by-law should be enforced against the premises. Within the last
few days I have again seen some of these back-yards the surface of
the ground of which is soft and contaminated with dung and garbage.
I have no hesitation in certifying that they are a danger to health.
They cannot be washed down and kept clean. In a few cases the
occupiers themselves have paved with an impervious material the
portion of the back-yard desired by us on account of the dirty conditions
which previously existed.
With regard to the water supply on the upper floors of a house
let to several families, the Council was circularised by the London
County Council to take steps to have this carried out. It has been
done in a large number of houses to the great convenience of the
tenants. Apart from the opinion of the London County Council I
hold that a water supply and a sink only on the ground floor of a
house, when the upper floor is occupied by a separate family, is not
a proper and sufficient supply for the upper floor within Section 48
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and it cannot tend to the
cleanliness of the person of such tenants, nor to the benefit of their
general health, especially when the water for drinking purposes is
stored on the landing or in the bedroom.
These notices have not been pressed as we have a case now
waiting on appeal.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) G. B. MILLSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
To the Chairman and Members of the
Public Health Committee.