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Now, complaints are few, and the daily collection is finished by
10 o'clock in the morning. The difficulties in arranging this were
enormous as the circumstances of each establishment had to be considered,
but considerably more assistance was received from the residents
than might have been expected. The only part of the City where the
daily collection has not yet been effected is part of St. Margaret and St
John district where there are still six carts working on the weekly
system.
Watek Supply.
Applications were received for certificates that the water supply of
five new buildings was sufficient, and were granted in each instance.
208 notices of withdrawal of water supply were received from the
Metropolitan Water Board, and in 15 instances it was reinstated,
on notice. Additional sources of water supply on the upper floors of
tenement houses were provided in 399 instances. Legal proceedings to
enforce this were taken in only two instances. Owners are recommended
in all cases to fit a proper sink in connection with the new supply on
upper floors and so prevent risk of walls and ceilings being spoiled.
Two large owners of property, having received notice in respect of some
of their houses, decided to lay on additional supply of water to all their
tenement houses. As a rule, the Council has not asked for more than
one tap and sink between the first and second floors, but in some
instances owners have laid on water to each floor.
Houses Let in Lodgings.
The number of houses in 1909 was reduced by 67 through closure,
and as none were added in that year, the number on the register at the
end of the year was 1,481. 2,963 visits were recorded as having been
paid to this class of house, but many more were actually paid. Overcrowding
was found in 32 instances, and 770 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).
Deaths in Districts No. 3 and No. 5 in St. John's Ward, on which a
special report was made in 1908, number 57 and 46 respectively,
Chad wick Street in the latter area accounting for 21 of the deaths.
Parts of these districts form the area which may be acquired by the
St. John's Westminster Improvement Company under their Act of
1906. In consequence of an inquiry held by the Local Government
Board, apparently with the view to discover what steps the Company
were prepared to take to comply with the provisions of the Housing of