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off the supply were: Defects, 1; non-payment of rates, 13. Proceedings
were taken in two instances as mentioned above.
Additional water supply to the upper floors of tenement houses was
provided in 27 instances.
Removal of Offensive Refuse.—Four summonses for removing refuse in
improper vehicles or receptacles, and eight for removing it in prohibited
hours. Fines were inflicted in each case, amounting in all to £20.
Rat Repression.—The campaign against rats was continued throughout
the year; 35 specific complaints were investigated and steps taken to
destroy the vermin and to remove the source from which they came.
In the majority of instances the invasion of houses was due to defects
in the drains or sewers ; 27 examinations of sewer connections were
made, faulty ones were remedied and disused connections were bricked
off; in 5 instances defects in sewers were found and remedied. Care
was taken during re-construction of premises to see that disused drains
were taken out or properly filled in and sealed off from the sewer. In
some instances rats had been brought from the docks in packages of
fruit.
In the week commencing 1st November a united attack was again
made throughout the country. During the week 20,000 baits were laid
in 247 of the Council's sewers and approximately 13,000 baits were taken,
but the actual number of dead rats seen was only 64, probably the dead
bodies were carried away in the sewers. Baits to a limited extent are
now put down in the sewers periodically throughout the year.
Removal of Human Remains.—The reconstruction of the premises
known formerly as Poland Street Workhouse necessitated the removal of
a large quantity of human bones, as the open space inside the buildings
had been used as a burial ground from about 1690, when it was acquired
to supplement the burial accommodation by the St. James', Piccadilly,
parochial authorities. No burials appear to have taken place in the
ground for over 100 years. Under licence of the Home Office the remains
disturbed were removed to the City's Cemetery at Hanwell under my
supervision. The remains consisted entirely of bones weighing 31 tons,
8 cwts.
During excavations in connection with rebuilding of premises on the
site of 48, Palace Street, a small quantity of human bones was found
and the Home Office granted licence for their removal to Brookwood
Cemetery.
Filtration Plant, Great Smith Street Baths.—After consideration of
reports by the City Engineer and the Medical Officer of Health the Council
decided to adopt a system whereby the water of these Baths could be
purified by filtration and the addition of a disinfectant. The " Turnover "