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or joints equally good. There would appear to be adequate
sanitary protection if this were done.
(e) We are of opinion that iron soil-pipes are safer inside houses
than lead ones. (No. 11.)
(f) Double sealed covers should be required for inspection chambers
inside premises. (No. 6.)
(g) The by-laws should specify that joints of soil and other pipes
are to be constructed in a sound and efficient manner, and
that the soil-pipes themselves should be sound.
(h) Anti-syphonage pipes from w.c.'s, urinals or slop sinks must
not be taken into any other pipes but a soil-pipe.
(i) As a 3½-inch pipe is accepted as sufficient size for ventilating a
4-inoh drain (by-law No. 8, last paragraph"), we consider
by-law No. 8 (iv) should be altered from 4 inches to 35 inches
also.
(j) We consider 3 inches too large for the minimum size specified
for a urinal waste.
Intercepting Traps.—We also considered a suggestion by the
Lewisham Borough Council that the insertion ol' an intercepting trap
between the house drain and the sewer should not be required in future,
and recommended the Council not to agree with the suggestion.
Water Supply.
Applications were received for certificates that the water supply of
twenty new buildings was sufficient, and were granted in each instance.
150 notices of withdrawal of water supply were received from the
Metropolitan Water Board, and in 75 instances it was reinstated.
Additional sources of water supply were provided to houses in 152
instances ; this includes the provision of water on the upper floors of
tenement houses.
The Water Board having provided a laboratory and appointed Dr.
Houston, director of water examinations, a much more thorough
chemical and bacteriological examination of the water supplied to
London is now carried out than was the case under the companies.
The water is also examined by Dr. Thorpe on behalf of the Local
Government Board. Westminster is supplied from the New Biver,
Chelsea, Grand Junction, and West Middlesex Divisions, and during
1906 the supply was of good quality, though still capable of improvement.
The more extensive use of stored water during times of flood
has a beneficial effect in maintaining greater uniformity of quality.
Houses Let in Lodgings.
The demolition of property which continues, especially in St. John's
Ward, continues to reduce the number of houses on the register. At