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report on which is quoted in the Departmental Committee's Report. In
fact the report deals in parts with an identical subject, namely, the
danger to health from sewer and drain air.
Sanitation of Railway Stations.
The alterations consequent upon the widening of the Metropolitan
Railway have involved the demolition of the sanitary conveniences on
the down platform at Finchley Road Station. These conveniences were
constructed in 1903 and were at the time the subject of legal proceedings,
which the Council instituted for the purpose of vindicating the right of the
Local Sanitary Authority to require that the sanitary conveniences and
appliances on railway premises should be constructed in accordance with
the Public Health Act and the Drainage Bye-laws. The Railway
Company contended that being set up by statutory authority, local and
general Acts and By-laws did not apply to them. This case was the
first one ever taken to test the question.
The matter was argued at great length by eminent Counsel. The
learned Magistrate decided in the Council's favor upon all points and
the Railway Company, after giving notice of appeal, decided to accept
the Magistrate's decision.
The result of these proceedings has been a very great improvement
in the standard of sanitation at the railway stations in the Borough.
These are now regularly inspected.
The Cleansing of School Children.
During the year the Council has continued the cleansing of school
children infested with vermin by arrangement with the County Council.
The upper part of the building, now used by the Distress Committee,
is used as a Cleansing Station, and was brought into use in the early
part of 1912.
During the year 157 school children were cleansed. These cleansings
have usually been followed by a request from the County Medical Officer
of Health to deal with the bedding and clothing, and, if necessary, the
homes under the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1904,
Part IV.
In most cases this involves having the rooms thoroughly fumigated,
sprayed, stripped, and the architraves and woodwork of a similar