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52
lettings. There are on each floor three W.C.s, and only one siuk
with water tap over, for the seven lettings; no other washing
accommodation is provided, except at the public lavatory.—May 25,
1897. Certificate refused.
1 to 20 and 21 to 40, Sonning Buildings, owned by the London
County Council.
Two blocks, each consisting of five floors, eight tenements (some
two and some three room lettings) on each floor, separate W.C. to
each tenement. There is one sink and water tap to each four tenements,
or two on each floor, for the eight families ; no other washing
accommodation except at public lavatory.—May 25, 1897. Certificates
refused in each case.
My refusal to grant the certificates entailed many interviews with
the officers of the Council and much indignant correspondence, but
it will be allowed that my action was fairly justified when it is
remembered that the British Working Man has no chambermaid to
empty his slops, never performs his ablutions in his bed-room if he
can help it, and much prefers what he calls "a rinse at the sink."
I have never seen, but can picture in my mind's eye, seven men in
a row at 6 a.m., each waiting his turn for a wash before starting out
to work. How the wives will manage I can form no idea. I did
not consider the W.C. accommodation at Culham Buildings sufficient,
but I was content to waive this as a large number of the
tenements are single room lettings, but the defective washing
arrangements I could not pass over. Since this report was written
certain alterations have been made at my suggestion, after consultation
with Mr. Shirley Murphy (who I am happy to say supported
my action all through), and I have been able this month (March,
1898) to grant the necessary certificates.