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20
ON THE SANITARY CONDITION OF STRAND DISTRICT
(3.) Against an owner of a dwelling house for failure to
comply with statutory notice. The work was begun
after the issue of the summons, and was eventually
completed satisfactorily. The hearing of the summons
was adjourned, and finally withdrawn on payment of
costs.
One builder was cautioned in respect of failure to notify the
Board that he was about to erect new water closets, &c. The
failure was believed to be due to an oversight and the work had
been properly executed.
Removal of Human Remains.—On the 11th July, 1900,I
received a copy of an order made by the Home Secretary,
requiring me to supervise the removal of human remains found
beneath the floor of St. Mary's Church, Charing Cross Road, and
to see that other work ordered was satisfactorily performed. This
has been done, and I have certified to that effect. Two lead
coffins and a quantity of loose bones were removed and reburied
at Brookwood, and concrete has been laid over the area of the
church which was not disturbed, and covered with asphalte.
Water-Gas.—The attention of the late Board was directed to
the fact that many Companies supplying coal gas were adding
"water-gas" to it. Water-gas is a much more poisonous gas
than ordinary coal gas, and fatal cases resulting from its use have
been reported near Liverpool, in Belfast, and in America. A
number of precautions to be observed in its use were issued in
1898 by a Departmental Committee, but the public generally are
not aware that this gas is being supplied them, and that they are
exposed to greater danger. The Health Committee reported to
the Board as follows:—
"The Committee have considered a report by che Medical
"Officer of Health on the use of Carburetted Water Gas,
"which is being added by certain companies to ordinary coal-gas.
"Water-gas is four times as poisonous as ordinary coal-gas, and
"the experience of towns in which it is in extensive use shows
" that fatal accidents are much more likely to result therefrom.
"No warning to the public, however, appears to be given by
"the Gas Companies that they are sending out this gas, and the