View report page

42
WATER SUPPLY.
The District is supplied from the mains of the Barnet
Water Company. From evidence given before the Parliamentary
Bills Committee it appears that the Company pump from
five deep wells in the chalk—three at Barnet, one at Potters
Bar, and one at East Barnet—and, in addition, can obtain a
certain quantity of water from the New River Company.
The service is at present intermittent to the greater portion
of Finchley, but the Company are under an obligation to
give a constant supply to the whole of the District within two
years.
The quantity of water supplied has been estimated at
about 20 gallons per head per day. No water-softening process
is in use.
HOUSING.
Building operations have been actively continued during
the past year in all parts of the District, and several new estates
are in course of development.
The number of new houses passed between December 31st
1904, and December 31st, 1905, as fit for occupation was 355.
The new buildings for the most part comprise rows of villa
residences, small houses, flats and shops.
There is no lack of house accommodation for artisans, but
the same complaint is heard here as in other suburban districts,
namely, that house rents are as a rule in excess of what the
working man can afford. I believe it is mainly in consequence
of this difficulty in meeting the rent of an entire house that a
considerable amount of sub-letting exists,