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135
Appendix II.
Report of Proceedings by the Woolwich Borough Council in
respect of a Nuisance arising from a want of a proper
and sufficient Supply of Water.
The Medical Officer of Health having reported in September, 1904,
that No. 1, High Street, Woolwich, a house consisting of six rooms on
three floors, with an unoccupied basement, and occupied by five families,
was dependent for its water supply upon a stand pipe in a yard
approached from the rear of the premises, the Public Health Committee
of the Council decided to serve the owner of the premises with a
Statutory Notice requiring him to provide a water supply to the first and
second floors of the house with properly fitted stoneware sinks, and
trapped waste pipes to discharge over the yard gully.
Failing compliance with the terms of this notice, the Council, on the
2nd December, 1904, issued a summons, under the provisions of Sections
5 and 48 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, against the owner
alleging default in compliance with the Statutory Notice, whereby a
nuisance arose.
The Town Clerk appeared to prosecute, and the proceedings were
defended by a Solicitor on behalf of the Owner.
It was proved on the hearing that each floor was occupied by different
families, together comprising nine persons; that from the yard, where the
supply of water was, to the top floor there were 34 stairs; that beyond a
dilapidated unusable copper and a standpipe, both in the yard, there was
no other provision of water, sink, scullery or wash-house; that in consequence
the tenants stored water in open vessels on each floor, where it
was liable to pollution; and that owing to the labour involved in carrying
up the water, an insufficient quantity was used to ensure cleanliness, both
of persons and rooms. It was also proved that a draw-off tap and sink
could be fixed on each landing.
The Defendant contended that there was au ample supply of water
available, if the tenants chose to fetch it, that it was not practicable, or
necessary, to provide a separate supply to each floor, and that no nuisance
existed upon the premises.
The Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sidney Davies, Dr. Annis, the
Medical Officer of Health for the Borough of Greenwich, and Dr. Hamer,
the Assistant Medical Officer of Health of the London County Council, in
support of the prosecution, gave evidence that in their opinion the want
of a separate supply was a nuisance dangerous or injurious to health.
The Magistrate, Mr. Rupert Kettle, in giving his decision, said that
the stand-pipe in the yard was not a proper and sufficient supply within
the meaning of the Act, and that there should be a separate supply to each
floor, and made an Order to abate the nuisance accordingly, with
£5 5s. costs.
A sink and tap have since been provided on the landings of each of
the first and second floors with very satisfactory results.