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Inspector Gorniot, who had largely dropped drainage work to take up duties on
behalf of the Local Food Control Committee, once more became drainage Inspector
of the portion of the Borough south of Marylebone Road; while Inspector J. C.
Wilson, who had been doing Inspector Gorniot's district as well as his own, was
given only the area north of Marylebone Road to supervise.
Very soon after the opening of the year the fact that there was quite a number
of conditions affecting drains calling for attention began to be revealed. The
number of notices served in regard thereto began to increase and many more plans
relating to drain reconstructions, and amendments voluntarily undertaken, were
received. Even so, the number was still below the pre-war number, partly on
account of shortage and high price of labour and materials. In many cases where
notices were served these were given as reasons for delay in compliance or as
grounds for asking that the work should be allowed to stand over. As was the
practice during the war, the Public Health Committee were willing to show a certain
amount of leniency and, if such a case appeared to be justified, delayed as long as
possible before taking action to compel compliance with notice.
One direction in which leniency was occasionally shown was in the direction of
allowing of modification in relation to by-law requirements. During the war, on
account of the shortage of lead, it was necessary occasionally to permit of the
introduction of an iron soil-pipe indoors in place of lead, as required by the by-laws.
On a few occasions a similar concession was requested during 1919, but was less
frequently granted. As to why the by-laws of the London County Council should
insist that whenever it is necessary to construct a soil-pipe within doors lead must be
used, is not quite clear to many, and very often, where price is a consideration,
permission to be allowed to depart from the requirements is asked. Conceivably the
reason underlying the by-law is that the risk of leakage is less with lead than with
iron, since more skilled and better workmanship is required in the construction of the
pipe, and, moreover, there are fewer joints, and what there are, are very strong.
Whether or not these are the reasons, there can be little doubt but that great
dissatisfaction exists on account of the requirement, and that many hold amendment
is necessary since iron pipes are no less sanitary and safe than those of lead.
The total number of drain inspections made during the year was 7,554; a figure
that may be compared with 4,725 in 1918, 8,204 in 1914 and 10,200 in 1913.
The total number of plans deposited was 278 as against 117 in 1918 and 428 in
1914.
The number relating to new buildings was 16. The number deposited in 1918
was 9 and in 1914, 87.
In the case of old buildings, the number of plans received was 262. In 1918 the
total number was 108 and in 1914, 341.
In the bulk of the cases the arrangements shown were in accordance with the
by-laws and the work was allowed to proceed under the preliminary approval of the
Medical Officer of Health. In cases in which there was departure from the
requirements a special report was made to the Public Health Committee, who rarely
refused approval if satisfied that compliance was impossible and that there was
no possibility of nuisance or injury to health arising. In the majority of cases the
departure referred to closet accommodation and affected particularly conveniences
proposed to be constructed in basements.
On four occasions reports were submitted with regard to cases discovered by
the inspectors in which drainage or sanitary work was being carried out without
permission from the Council and without deposit of plans, or not in compliance with
requirements. Proceedings in court were taken in all of these cases and fines
imposed in each instance.