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air escaping from a ventilator has given satisfactory results, as germs,
moulds, &c., are thrown down, and probably offensive gases are dissolved
and carried down also. Another method, which has also been serviceable,
is by burning the air from the sewer in a special form of street
lamp. Reference was also made to a paper on the subject, in which
replies from a number of local authorities were summarised (Public
Health, ix, p. 250, May, 1897).
Watek Supply.
Applications were received for certificates that the water supply of
eleven new buildings was sufficient, and were granted in each instance.
147 notices of withdrawal of water supply were received from the
Metropolitan Water Board, and in 25 instances it was reinstated.
Additional sources of water supply on the upper floors of tenement
houses were provided in 281 instances. Legal proceedings to enforce
this were taken in six instances.
At the end of March, a change was effected in the mode of charging
for water. Instead of a rate plus extras for baths, lavatories, and high
service, a standard charge of 5 per cent. on the rateable value is now
made, so that where it is required to lay on water to the upper floors of
tenement houses no extra annual charge will be incurred, as would have
been the case under the old system. Houses under £20 a year are
entitled to a 20 per cent. compounding allowance, bringing the rate
down to 4 per cent. Premises not paying inhabited house duty and
being assessed at more than £300, are also entitled to 20 per cent.
discount.
Sanction has been given to the expenditure of £13,000 by the
Water Board upon a scheme for the improvement of the supply to the
district of Mayfair. It is proposed to abandon the reservoirs at
Campden Hill, and to lay a new 18-inch main through Hyde Park from
the Marble Arch to Regent Street by way of Brook Street.
Houses Let in Lodgings.
The number of houses at the end of 1908 was reduced by 24 through
closure, and as none were added in that year, the number on the register
at the end of the year was 1,548. To these 3,007 visits were recorded
as having been paid to this class of house, but many more were actually
paid. Overcrowding was found in 31 instances, and 349 other defects
were found and remedied.
Proceedings were taken in respect of several registered houses for
failure to maintain w.c.'s in proper working order and supplied with
water (see list of " Legal Proceedings," ante).