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post-mortem room attached to the mortuary, numbered 245, as compared with 243
in 1902, 215 in 1901, 229 in 1900, 232 in 1899, 164 in 1898, 159 in 1897, 128 in 1896,
109 in 1895, 60 in 1894 and 29 in 1893. The number of inquests held at the
Coroner's Court in respect to the bodies of persons belonging to Shorditch, was 323,
as compared with 319 in 1902, 298 in 1901, 324 in 1900, 854 in 1899, 339 in 1898, 331
in 1897 and 301 in 1896.
WATER SUPPLY.
According to the figures given in the reports on the London Water Supply, by
Sir William Crookes, E.R.S., and Professor Dewar, F.R.S., during the year 1903, the
rainfall at Oxford amounted to 35.84 inches. The mean rainfall for 35 years is given
at 25.29 inches. The total excess of rain for the year was, therefore, 10 55 inches; or
41.7 per cent. of the 35 years' average. The year was one of the wettest on record.
Most rain fell during the months of May, June, July, August, and October. The
wettest month was October, during which month 6.41 inches fell, the amount being
3.65 inches above the 35 years' average.
The water supplied by the New River Company was observed to be markedly
coloured on several days in October. The colouration—a brownish tint—was readily
noticeable with the water in large quantities, as in the public baths in Pitfield Street,
and attention was drawn to the fact in the Council by the Chairman of the Baths
Committee. The colouration of the water, which was more or less noticeable
during the autumn months, was attributable to the excessive rainfall which caused
the solution of considerable amounts of vegetable matter. There was nothing to
suggest the occurrence of any water-borne diseases in the Borough.
Communications were received in accordance with the requirements of section 49,
of the Public Health (Lond.) Act, 1891, relative to the water supplies being cut off
at 81 premises on the East London Company's District, and 78 on that of the New
River Company. In many instances the intimations referred to empty premises.
SANITARY WORK.
Preliminary notices as to insanitary conditions were served in respect to
2,164 premises. The Chief Sanitary Inspector dealt with 213 premises, Inspector
Lear with 485, the late Inspector Quelch with 81, Inspector Firth with 437, Inspector
Jordan with 337, Inspector Langstone with 414, and Inspector Clements with
197 premises. In connection with the work, 1,004 letters were written to owners of
property, builders, and other parties concerned.
In the subjoined Table is contained a summary indicating the nature of the various
works carried out for the abatement of nuisances and for the improvement of the