View report page

26 UNDERGROUND ROOMS.
In other cases, English tenants are entirely to blame in insanitary
conditions which come to light. Difficulties arising from tenants
of this character, are well exemplified by two cases of death, and
inquests thereon, in November, 1900. Those cases were reported
upon by me, under date December 5th, 1900. My report was
approved by the Public Health Committee of the Council of the
City of Westminster. It was as follows:—
"Referring to two inquests recently held by Mr. Troutbeck,
I have the honour to submit:—
"I. That the house, No. 10, Jermyn Street—stated at
the inquest to be without water supply or sanitary conveniences
— was amply supplied with water by two taps, one on the
ground floor, and one in the back kitchen. A water closet in
working order and well supplied with water was upon the
ground floor.
''The condition of the house was due entirely to the
neglectful and filthy habits of the deceased woman, and who,
rather than go to the closet, used a pail in hei room as a receptacle
for feculent and urinary matters. The deceased woman is
reported as being frequently intoxicated. She and her husband
lived in the house, rent free, as caretakers. The house was in
a filthy condition.
"The house was not and never had been a tenement house.
It stands on the north side of Jermyn Street, east of Regent
Street, and adjoins the Criterion Theatre. The house was
entirely rebuilt under the Crown Surveyor in the year 1872, and
afterwards the premises were let at £350 a year for twentyone
years, upon an underlease containing the usual covenants
for repair, etc., by the lessee. In 1895 the premises became
empty, and a protracted law-suit occurred. The deceased
woman and her husband lived in the house from 1895 up to
the time of her death. They chose to live and sleep in the
front basement room.
"Immediately upon the facts becoming known to the
Sanitary Department, the place was cleansed and disinfected.
"II. No. 9, Upper John Street, Golden Square, is a
well-built, light, airy house. It has a large open yard, and is
kept in good condition. The three main floors are let as offices.
The deceased lived, rent free, as caretaker in the back basement
room. This room had a stone floor but was well shaped, amply
supplied with light and air, with a good fireplace, and was in
sound condition as to repair. There was no evidence of damp.
The room had all the requisites required by the Public Health