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51
Plans.—514 sets of plans were examined during 1914. Of these
130 were plans of new buildings.
Failure to send in plans or to give notice occurred in 46 instances.
Infringement of the By-laws in connection with the erection of
buildings occurred in 10 instances.
The builders were cautioned and required to do the work properly.
For failing to deposit duplicate plans of new drainage, &c., after
repeated applications, a firm of builders was summoned, but as the plans
were deposited before the hearing, the summons was withdrawn on
payment of 23s. costs.
Drain-testing.—In the list given above is shown the number of
drains and soil pipes which have been tested under the superintendence
of the sanitary inspectors. The chemical test is applied by them, but
the other forms of test require assistance, this is frequently given by
the builders employed in the work, but in 609 instances the services of
the two drain-testers attached to the Department were requisitioned.
House Refuse.—As there might be some difficulty in securing the
daily removal of house refuse owing to many of the dustmen and drivers
being called up for army service, a notice was circulated throughout the
City advising householders to burn as much of their house refuse as
possible in order to reduce the quantity to be removed and prevent
accumulation of offensive matter likely to become dangerous to health.
Regulations for Prevention of Fire.—I reported last year that the
attention of the Public Health Committee had been drawn to difficulties
which were experienced owing to requirements made by the County
Council in respect of means of escape in case of fire from various
premises. No information is given to the Borough Councils by the
County Council in individual cases, with the result that from time
to time there is a conflict between the requirements of the County
Council on the one hand and those of the Home Office and the City
Council on the other, especially with regard to ventilation. Unnecessary
expense is caused to property owners, which could be obviated when
premises are being built or reconstructed, if the County Council would
give information to the City Council of their requirements. Complaints
have also been received of the want of finality in the County Council's
requirements.
The Public Health Committee asked the County Council to furnish
a copy of the requirements for the prevention of fire in each case, to
which a reply was received from the Building Acts Committee of the
London County Council, dated the 18th May, 1914, stating that they
have had under consideration the City Council's letter of the 7th