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13. Drains. 29 defective combined drains, draining 145
houses have been investigated and reported on, compared
with 52 in 1901. These were all referred to the Borough
Engineer's Department. 21 have been re-laid in addition to
those outstanding from 1901; 18 were in Woolwich Parish, 10
in Plumstead and 1 in Eltham.
693 private drains found to be choked or defective were
examined, cleared and re-laid at the expense of the owners.
351 of these were in Woolwich Parish, 215 in Plumstead and
127 in Eltham. In 1901 the number of private drains dealt
with was 786; 1,444 water closets were repaired after notice
and 120 foul pans cleansed. In 1901 the numbers were 1,864
and 54 respectively. The great majority of these were in
Woolwich Parish.
14. Public Urinals. Several complaints were received as
to nuisance arising from the foul condition of public house
urinals, and also as to nuisances in streets and passages, partly
due to lack of conveniences for females. The urinals have been
systematically inspected and notices served and enforced where
necessary. The only direct means of dealing with these
urinals is by serving notice for a nuisance, a means quite inadequate
to secure regular and efficient cleansing. A bye-law
is required similar to that in forc9 for water closets : viz.,
" The occupier of any premises shall cause every water closet
belonging to such premises to be thoroughly cleansed from time
to time as often as may be necessary for keeping it in a cleanly
condition"; but the Public Health (London) Act at present
gives no power to make such bye-law.
15. The Council, on my recommendation, decided to make
one of the female conveniences in Nile Street free. Although
this privilege is liable to abuse, the presence of a caretaker
enables steps to be taken for limiting misuse and preventing
nuisance.
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