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63
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
During the year 665 notices have been served by the District Inspectors at the
order of the Sanitary Committee, and in two cases only was it found necessary, in
consequence of non-compliance therewith, to refer the matters to the City Solicitor with
a view to such steps being taken as he deemed necessary to ensure the required sanitary
improvements being effected.
In one of these two cases, however, the notice was subsequently complied with,
without the matter being taken into Court.
The following are the cases referred to: —
61 and 62, Barbican Insufficient W.C. accommodation.
Orders complied with.
38, Barbican Defective drain. Court Order made and
15s. costs. Drains reconstructed.
SUMMER FLUSHING OF COURTS.
There are 279 courts and narrow passages throughout the City which were
regularly flushed during the summer months under the direction of the City Engineer,
who informs me that in this service and the flushing of the main streets, no less than
69,378,336 gallons of water were used. Of these courts and alleys, 20 were flushed
six times a week, 10 five times a week, 2 four times a week, 27 three times a week,
126 twice a week, and 94 once a week.
Disinfectants are also freely applied where desirable.
The condition of the approaches to Billingsgate Market and the Customs House, as
heretofore, required special attention. There has always been a difficulty in keeping
the thoroughfares in the immediate vicinity of these places free from the nuisance
caused by the drippings from the fish carts, especially during hot weather.
LIMEWASHING OF COURTS.
There are 89 courts and narrow passages situated in various parts of the City, the
walls of which, unless cleansed frequently, become dirty and unsightly through the
constant traffic ot passengers or vehicles, together with the action of the smoke-laden
atmosphere. These are cleansed or limewashed twice a year under the direction of the
City Engineer. Of the places so dealt with during 1913, 24 were situated in the East
District, 33 in the Middle District, and 32 in the West District.
PRESERVATION OF STONE.
During the year consideration was given to a new process of stone preservation.
The method consists of the application of arsenic acid to sodium silicate. The
combination results in the formation of free silica which fills the pores of the stone, and
arsenic acid which combines with the sodium to form sodium arsenate.