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9
Sewer Emanations.—At intervals during 1930 and to an extent also in previous
years, especially in the early summer months, a number of complaints were received
with regard to nuisance from smells issuing from sewer ventilators in the roadway.
These complaints in 1931, it is interesting to note, were not renewed, the steps
taken by the London County Council of closing a large number of the sewer ventilating
openings apparently having abated the nuisance.
Closet Accommodation.
In the table at page 14 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 tenement houses, shops, or workshops or in order to afford
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
onveniences 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 waterclosets.
This is particularly the case in relation to closets in basements and in the
more over-crowded business and shopping portions of the Borough. All plans
showing proposals to construct water-closets are most carefully scrutinised, but as
already noted, the 1930 by-laws having considerably modified the requirements so
far as situation is concerned, the need for granting special approval now less
frequently arises. Particularly by allowing of the introduction of closets in bathrooms
entered directly from rooms used exclusively as sleeping or dressing-rooms
they have met a demand that has been increasing for some time and that caused
considerable administrative difficulties.
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 use of 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. ‡Two free urinettes provided.