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58
Combined Drains. Twenty-six combined drains, connected
with 151 houses, were reported on at various times throughout
the year. When it has been ascertained that such a system is
choked, investigation is made, and, if the stoppage is only
of a temporary character and not due to any defect, the drains
are cleared and the fact is recorded. Occasionally it is an
economic policy to remedy defects while the examination
is being carried out, and, if application is made by the owners
at the time, the Council do the necessary work. During the
year small repairs, costing in all £6 17s. 10d., were done in
this connection, this amount being recovered from the owners
concerned. If, however, reconstruction of the whole or of
part of the system is necessary, the Council serves notices
under the Metropolis Management Act, and in most cases
the work is carried out by the Works Department at the
expense of the owners. During the year reconstruction was
necessary in only two cases involving connections with 18
houses.
Sanitary Inspection of the Area. The Sanitary Officers'
Order of 1922 imposes certain duties on Sanitary Inspectors.
These duties may be classified as obligatory and optional.
The following optional duties were carried out by the Inspectors
during the year :—
(a) The supervision of scavenging in Plumstead Parish
until 31st March, 1925.
(b) Duties imposed under the Rats and Mice (Destruction)
Act, 1919.
With regard to the routine obligatory duties of the Sanitary
Inspectors, statistical tables are set out below showing the
number of inspections made and the character and type of
the nuisances abated. 3,223 intimation and 858 statutory
notices were served during the year, compared with 3,638