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13
Combined Drainage.—Orders under seal as to combined drainage were issued
in respect of four premises. The number in 1918 was 1 and in 1914, 6.
Closet Accommodation.
In the table at page 17, summarizing the work carried out by the district
inspectors' figures indicating the number of defects in water closets remedied and
of water closets erected are set out.
In most instances the closets erected were with a view to providing additional
accommodation in tenements houses, shops or workshops or in order to provide
suitable separate accommodation for women in places where both sexes were or
were about to be employed. Though there may be here and there a small lock-up
shop in which it is necessary for the individuals engaged on the premises to make use
of a convenience in some other part of the building, or more rarely in an adjoining
building, there are no premises in the Borough totally without sanitary conveniences
of this type. The only class of closet is, of course, the water closet.
One of the great difficulties experienced from time to time is in regard to finding
a suitable place for a convenience and a position in which there will be complete
compliance with the requirements of the regulations in respect of water-closets.
This is particularly the case as regards closets in basements and in the more overcrowded
business and shopping portions of the Borough. All plans showing proposals
to construct water-closets are most carefully scrutinized and only if it is impossible to
find a completely suitable position, and there appears to be no possible risk of nuisance
or injury to health, is permission granted to construct the convanience in a situation
where there is not compliance.
Public Sanitary Conveniences.—The usual supervision was exercised over the
public conveniences during the year, Inspector Hill, the outdoor superintendent,
visiting those provided for the males : the women inspectors, especially Miss Baker,
supervising those provided for females.
Reports and comparative statements as to receipts for use of the underground
conveniences were regularly submitted to and considered by the Public Health
Committee.

* One free urinette provided.
In the case of the conveniences for men, part of the increase in receipts is due to
the fact that the arrangement under which no charge was made to men in uniform
was discontinued in March, 1919. That the charge for the use of the lavatory was
increased from 2d. to 3d. on 22nd September, 1919, accounts also for a part of the
increase in the receipts.
SCAVENGING.
In 1917 the Council decided that the responsible duty of collecting and disposing
of the house refuse should be carried out by direct labour, and a special committee