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which may be deemed to be requisite for the ventilation of the sewers
should not be at the ground level.
The final conclusions of the Committee is that as circumstances vary
in different localities, the question whether the intercepting trap is or
is not required, is one which must be considered and determined by
local authorities and their advisors in the light of local conditions.
Removal of Offensive Refuse.—Complaints were made of offensive
smells in a number of instances occurring during the removal of
kitchen refuse from hotels, &c. One person was cautioned for
removing refuse during prohibited hours and one prosecution was
ordered, but the summons was unable to be served on account of the
illness of the defendant.
A summons is not taken out unless the person offending has been
previously cautioned.
Housing Conditions.
Sanitary Survey of Houses.—Special reports have been made of the
condition of houses in the following streets and courts:—Montpelier
Row, Rutland Street, Rutland Yard, Ann's Place, Cheval Place,
Kinnerton Place North and South, Frederick Mews, Grosvenor
Cottages, Chadwick Street, St. James' Residences, Goodwin's Court,
Clayton's Yard.
A number of defects were discovered and remedied, notices being
served under the Public Health Act. Four houses unfit for habitation
were closed voluntarily by the owners.
Seventeen houses were inspected under Section 17 of the Housing
Acts, and representations as to unfitness for habitation were made in
respect of 13, 9 of which were closed and pulled down in consequence
of orders made by the City Council.
Eight houses with respect to which demolition orders were made in
1911 were pulled down in 1912.
The housesin Wellington Mews, which were reported upon previously,
have been converted into garages and workshops.
Re-building is continuing in the streets around Smith's Square, in
St. John's Ward, and some existing houses hitherto let as tenements
are being converted to their original use as houses for one family.
Thirty-seven houses (4 in Air Street, 7 in Brewer Street, 13 in
Sherwood Street, and 13 in Glasshouse Street) have been demolished,
and a large hotel is being erected on the site. The premises were largely
used for business purposes, but there were also a number of residents.
The London County Council have been making an enquiry as to the
onditions under which it becomes essential for persons of the working
lasses to live in proximity to their work, and have been collecting