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66
found that this ward had been built over a drain which was
very defective, and on which there was a defective manhole
where a stoppage had occurred, converting the manhole into a
cesspool. When the whole course and branches of this drain
were examined by openings in 15 places the joints of 48 out of
50 pipes were found defective."
The Guardians, after considerable delay, came to the conclusion
to relay that part under the receiving ward only, and
to dispute their liability to relay the whole. The Vestry refusing
to yield from their demands, the guardians were finally
proceeded against at the Police Court on May 30th, and after
two adjournments were fined £100 and £5 5s. costs for noncompliance
with the notice. The second adjournment was to
enable the guardians to appeal to the County Council, a
privilege they had previously neglected. The County Council
having considered the merits of the case gave their decision
against the Guardians, and it was only left to the magistrate to
fix the penalty.
Finally the whole work was satisfactorily done. This
matter occupied a very large part of the Inspector's time.
83. Houses unfit for occupation.—I only reported one house
as unfit for occupation, namely 234, High Street. This was an
old house in a very damp, dirty and dilapidated condition.
It was closed by the owners on receipt of notice under the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, Part II.
84. Smoke Nuisance.—The Laundry in Chesnut Road was
complained of as causing smoke nuisance repeatedly by certain
residents in the neighbourhood. After a very large number of
observations had been taken by the Sanitary Inspector, it was
finally decided to take proceedings before the magistrate for the
abatement of the nuisance, but before this was done the use of
the vertical boiler causing the nuisance was discontinued and a
new system adopted, and there have been no further complaints.