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and in some cases quite dry, most of these wells being surface
wells only.
After the drought ended, and the wells had re-filled, samples
of the water from wells supplying 27 different premises
situated on the Chase, Southgate, were submitted to me by the
Sanitary Inspector, and, being regarded with suspicion, were
sent to the County Analyst for examination. All, with one
exception, were found to be unfit for dietetic purposes, and
were consequently condemned, and the wells from which they
were taken were ordered to be closed, and the New River
Company's water to be laid on.
Watercourses.—During the summer the condition
of some of the watercourses, especially Pymmes Brook,
was most offensive, owing partly to the prolonged drought.
Numerous inspections were made at different times by
myself and the Sanitary Inspector, and large quantities of
crude sewage were found in Pymmes Brook, which no
doubt came from the East Barnet Sewage Farm. On my
reporting this matter to you, the Middlesex County Council
was communicated with, and caused a thorough examination
of the Brook to be made, and were the means of urging the
East Barnet District Council to take steps to prevent the contamination
ot the Brook by their sewage. As a result of this
some improvement has taken place, but the Brook is still much
polluted, and it is to be hoped that the Middlesex County
Council will take further steps to prevent a repetition of the
most serious condition the Brook was in last summer, and the
continual nuisance it has been to the district for so many
years. Several other brooks were cleaned out when their
condition was pointed out to those responsible for them.
Housing of the Working Classes Act.—Plans
have been prepared for the erection of twelve cottages under
this Act at Highfield Eow, Winchmore Hill. Such cottages,
built on hygienic principles, are much needed, and I trust that,
as opportunity arises, you will see that the many obsolete and
unhygienic cottages that still remain about the district are
replaced by such model dwelllings.
Roads,—The work of making up Palmerston, Marlboro',
Granville and Pymmes Roads at Bowes Park, under the
150th section of the Public Health Act, has been completed,
and is a great improvement to that part of the district.