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Police Court proceedings had to be resorted to in respect of 2
properties. In each case the summonses were withdrawn on payment
of costs, the work having been completed before the hearing.
Plans.—551 sets of plans were examined during 1923. Of these,
73 were plans of new buildings. The corresponding figures for 1921
were 383 and 22, and for 1922, 468 and 39.
Three plans were disapproved, and four others were withdrawn or not
proceeded with. Orders for "Combined Drainage" were made in 16
cases.
In 24 instances the plans related to houses wholly or partially being
converted into flats, and in 10 instances to stables being converted into
dwellings.
Failure to give notice occurred in 29 instances, and to send in plans
24 instances, and a number of builders were cautioned. Three builders
were summoned for this, having been previously cautioned, and were
fined 10s., £3 and £5, one of them was summoned for improper
construction of W.C., and fined 10s.
Water Supply.—25 notices of withdrawal of water supply were received
from the Metropolitan Water Board. The reasons given for cutting off
the supply were: Defects, 3; non-payment of rates, 22.
Additional water supply to tenement houses was provided in 36
instances.
Removal of Offensive Refuse.—Four contractors were summoned for
removing refuse in improper vehicles or receptacles, and one of them
for removing it in prohibited hours. Fines were inflicted in each case,
amounting in all to £6, with 10s. 6d. costs.
Ventilation of London Theatres.-—New regulations have been issued
by the London County Council for ventilating theatres, kinemas, and
places of public resort for entertainment or dancing. They are to apply
to premises for which new licences are sought and to premises which may be
reconstructed, and are to guide the Council in its requirements with
regard to existing places when it considers that an improvement in their
ventilation is necessary. Before the erection or alteration of the premises
is started the approval of the Council must be obtained to the proposed
ventilating and heating arrangements, which must be capable of giving a
supply of outdoor air at the rate of 1,000 cubic feet per person per hour.
It is considered, however, that satisfactory results cannot be obtained in
large premises unless the plant is capable of giving a supply of warmed air
delivered by fans. It must be capable of maintaining a minimum temperature
of 55° F. with full air supply in the building when the outdoor
temperature is 30° F., that it does not contaminate the air, that it is not
in conflict with the regulations for protection against fire, and that no