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the buildings are now well advanced. It is fully expected that the work
will be finished by next June, and that the Hospital will be ready for
occupation by the Autumn and possibly earlier.
The benefit and convenience of this Infectious Hospital to the
District will be great, not only as a ready means of isolating such
infectious cases as require it conveniently and efficiently, but also for the
facilities which we shall have for thoroughly disinfecting infected
bedding, clothing, and other articles from infected houses, in the steam
disinfector which will be established on the premises.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Return of the Metropolitan Asylums Board Hospital.
During the past year 2,714 eases were admitted into this Hospital, situated
at Winchmore Hill. Of these, 2,217 were Scarlet Fever, and 497
Diphtheria. There were only 2 deaths, both from Scarlet Fever.
Sewers.-Several defective branch sewers at Winchmore Hill and
Southgate have been taken up and relaid. The flushing of sewers in all
parts of the District has been carefully and systematically carried out and
throughout the year certain sewers were flushed daily. Very few com
plaints have consequently been received of offensive smells arising therefrom.
Water Supply.—Practically, the whole District is now supplied
by the New River Company, the quality and constancy of whose
water supply is all that can be desired. Very few houses, or outlying
cottages even, are now dependent on wells for their water, at least 97 per
cent. having the New River Company's supply. The few wells that
remain in use have caused no trouble.
Water Courses.-Several complaints were received during the year
of Pymmes Brook, and although the pollution caused by the overflow of
a cesspool on the premises of Brook House was stopped as a result of
your negotiations with the East Barnet Council, and some improvement
generally has taken place, yet the condition of the Brook is still far
from satisfactory Even now it is at times polluted by the effluent
from the sewage farm situated in East Barnet. I would therefore
recommend that such further steps as you think fit should be taken to
prevent this altogether.
Housing of the Working Classes Act.- During the year 5
cottages were closed as being unfit for human habitation, and 4 of them have
since been demolished. All of these were situated in Sonthgate, viz.,
2 in the High Street, 1 in Reservoir Road, and 1 in Hoppers Road.
The 12 new cottages erected by you under this Act, in Highfield
Row were occupied last Spring. The applications received exceeded the
cottages in number. The original occupants still remain in them, and
express themselves as very pleased with them, finding them healthy and
convenient.