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report upon the condition of the drain. Upon the report being
duly presented it was found that the drain was defective, but
the magistrate dismissed the summons.
In the second case, the owner of certain premises at which
drainage alterations had been made under the Inspector,
claimed damages from the Vestry, he asserting that because a
rain water pipe from a roof adjoining drained into the drain of
his house, that the latter became a sewer, and therefore,
repairable by the Vestry. The Vestry repudiated all liability.
Undergeound Rooms.
Eleven cases of illegal occupation of underground rooms
occurred in St. Margaret's Parish. The question of the occupation
of several underground rooms (nine) at James-street
Mansions has occupied the attention of the Sanitary Committee
on more than one occasion. The rooms mentioned do not
conform with Sec. 96, Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and
the Vestry has refused to allow such rooms to be occupied as
dwelling houses until certain works have been carried out.
In St. John's Parish 15 cases of illegal occupation of
underground rooms were investigated during the year. In
only one case (Medway-street) was it found necessary to take
proceedings. The offender was fined £12 and 37s. 6d. costs.
Legal Peoceedings.
The following summonses have been taken out during the
year 1895, by order of the Vestry:—
St. Margaret's Parish.
Inspector Dee.
Seventeen summonses have been taken out during the year,
seven were decided in favour of the Vestry, with a total in
fines and costs recovered of £14 7s. 6d. One case was dismissed,
upon a decision that the person summoned was not
technically the owner. The other nine cases were adjourned
sine die, but will be brought before the magistrate again, almost
immediately. They refer to the underground rooms at Jamesstreet-mansions.
St. John's Parish.
Inspector McNair.
3, New-street, defective and combined drain. The magistrate,
Mr. Shiel, caused the drain to be examined by
Mr. Large, district surveyor for St. George, Hanoversquare,
who certified same to leak to the extent of
7 gallons in 10 minutes. The magistrate, however,
dismissed the case against the Vestry.