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52 Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
so that the lengths of piping run up and down in zig-zag fashion, while between
their ends wide leaking gaps have been created.
The fall of the sewer is deficient.
There is a short, sharp descent from the building, followed by a long and
inadequate drop to where it discharges, apparently in a direction opposite to the
current of the main sewer. After these statements, the Vestry will not be surprised
to hear that the sewer was choked in the greater part of its course, and that the
surrounding soil was saturated with sewage to such an extent as to be a danger to
health. It will be seen that the drainage system, to which attention has been called,
illustrates almost every defect that could be contrived by bad workmanship, and
allowed to pass by careless supervision.
The cost of putting this sewer into proper condition, I should estimate at some
considerable sum. There can be on doubt as to the urgent need of reconstruction
in this particular case. I may add that this is the first time that my attention has
been drawn to the important question of the sewerage of our " model dwellings."
House to House Inspection.
The first Section of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, directs that a house
to house inspection shall be made by the Local Authority. Such a visitation as that
intended by the framers of the Act was—for the first time in the history of this
parish—commenced in 1894.
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During 1895 1613 house to house inspections have been made, and the
results of such visits have been entered into the registers kept for the purpose.
To repeat the words made use of in my last year's report, " I may, perhaps, be
allowed to add my opinion, that this system of house to house inspection is likely to
do more towards raising the general health standard of your district than any single
step yet taken by your Vestry."
Houses Let in Lodgings
An attempt has been made, during the year under report, to enforce the new Byelaws
made in compliance with the Public Health Act, with respect to houses let in
lodgings, or occupied by members of more than one family.
So far, 151 dwelling-houses, inhabited by the poorest classes have been registered
in conformity with the Bye-laws.
In this parish, houses built on the so-called "model" or block system, and
accommodating upwards of 12,800 inmates, at present escape the salutary provisions
of the new Bye-laws. These dwellings, often inhabited by the uneducated and unruly
poor, are for the most part badly supervised.
I would beg once more to enter my protest that such "models" should be
included, in the interests of the public health, within the purview of the New
Tenement Bye-laws. Such a reform could be accomplished by means of an amendment
of the Public Health Act.