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Public Conveniences.
Fourteen conveniences for men and a similar number for women are maintained
throughout the area, hours of opening and closing varying with local requirements.
In the town centre, for example, the conveniences are open from 5.30 a.m. Normally,
however, this service is available between the hours of 6.30 a.m. and 11 p.m. These
conveniences were inspected regularly throughout the year. In all the conveniences
water closets are now free.
Free Washing Facilities—Public Conveniences.
The Council has for the past three years provided free washing facilities at
main public conveniences. This service continues to be used and appreciated by
the public, although some people prefer the paid washing facilities with the provision
of linen towels.
The average weekly issues of free paper towels at the conveniences are as
follows :—
Men. Women.
Beresford Square 400 300
Nile Street 250 200
Eltham Church Convenience 200 100
North Woolwich 150 200
The Slade 100 20
New Eltham — 50
The information regarding Street Cleansing, Refuse Disposal and Public Conveniences
has been kindly supplied by the Borough Engineer.
Swimming Bath Water.
During 1953 fifty samples of swimming bath water were taken from the
Council's public baths at Woolwich, Plumstead and Eltham. These samples were
submitted to the Park Hospital, Hither Green, for bacteriological examination.
All the samples proved satisfactory. The department carried out simultaneously
its own tests for free chlorine and hydrogen-ion concentration (pH value).

HOUSING
At the end of 1953 there were estimated to be 40,227 houses in the Borough
The number inspected for housing defects under the Public Health or Housing
Acts was 8,579, compared with 9,046 in 1952. The number found not to be in all
respects reasonably fit for habitation was 1,397. Some 923 houses were rendered
fit in consequence of informal action by the Sanitary Inspectors, including the
service of intimation notices. House-to-house inspections were carried out under
the Housing (Consolidated) Regulations, 618 houses being inspected under these
Regulations, being almost double the number inspected in the previous year.
Overcrowding.
During the year a total of 40 families were found to be living in overcrowded
conditions, and overcrowding reports were made to the London County Council on
behalf of these persons. In thirteen cases the County Council provided other
accommodation. A further 195 families were visited after complaints of
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