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127
L.C.C. DRAINAGE BYE-LAWS
During the year, 9 contraventions of the above bye-laws were reported to the
Public Health Committee. In each instance a warning letter was sent to the builder
responsible for the work.
ASHPITS
It is satisfactory to be able to state that there are now only three ashpits in the
Borough. One of these serves 14 houses, one 12 houses and one 11 houses. These
are reported to be in satisfactory condition, but total abolition would certainly be
desirable.
PUBLIC CONVENIENCES FOR WOMEN
No alteration was made during the year. This matter was fully discussed in the
annual report for 193G.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
The work in connection with common lodging houses is carried out under the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
The number of common lodging houses in the Borough is four, the number of
beds being 123, 87, 46 and 28 respectively. All the lodging houses are for males.
During the year 29 visits of inspection were paid.
In general it may be said that the common lodging houses are not of modern type;
the buildings are old and the houses can only be kept up to the required standard of
efficiency by constant supervision.
HOUSES LET IN LODGINGS
At the end of the year 1937, 378 houses were registered as houses let in lodgings.
The type of house varies but the greater proportion consist of from seven to ten
rooms. It need hardly be mentioned that the majority of these houses were originally
constructed for a totally different purpose and generally it may be said that they
are unsatisfactory for the purpose for which they are used. This is however a
difficulty which can only be overcome when improvement is effected in the housing of
the people as a whole. Many of these houses have basement rooms which are occupied
in contravention of the regulations of the Borough Council. The sanitary conveniences
are usually in the yard; there is generally a water supply in the yard and
most of the houses have a water supply on the upper floors. The sinks are often fitted
on the landings of the staircase. The houses are kept in fair repair, and action to
maintain this is taken under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. During the
year 248 visits of inspection were made. There was no appreciable amount of overcrowding
above that which generally prevails in the district