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143
were unstopped and cleansed. Some 131 batii, lavatory and
sink wast© pipes were repaired or trapped, and 44 new waste
pipes and 54 new glazed sinks were fixed. A large number of
other miscellaneous items were also properly dealt with. In
connection with this work 487 water tests, 121 smoke tests,
and 74 air tests were applied.
The practice which has been adopted in this department
in past years of passing a steel device through the pipes on
completion of the work, and of testing all new drains with
water after the ground has been filled in, has been continued.
A survey is made by your Inspectors on the completion
of each re-drainage scheme, and a block plan of the new
drain is prepared and filed for future reference. These plans,
together with other tabulated particulars, form a complete
and valuable record of the re-drainage work carried out.
House-to-House Inspection.
The provisions of Section 17 of the Housing, Town
Planning, etc., Act, 1909, and the regulations made thereunder
by the Local Government Board, impose upon every
local authority the duty of causing to be made from time
to time inspection of their district, with a view to ascertain
whether any dwelling house therein is in a state so dangerous
or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation.
The system of house-to-house surveys which was instituted
in Finchley many years prior to the passing of the
above-mentioned Act has been continued as heretofore, and
fully complies with the requirements of the Act and regulations
referred to.
Every house visited under this system is subjected to a
most careful inspection. The scope of the investigations is
of a comprehensive character, including all matters connected
with the dwelling houses which are likely to prove prejudicial
to health, such as the structure of the houses generally, the
condition of the drains and sanitary appliances, water supply