View report page

92
WATER SUPPLY IN TENEMENT HOUSES.
It has frequently been felt that there is great difficulty in
obtaining a sufficient and proper water supply in tenement
houses where each floor is occupied by a separate family. The
supply of such premises is usually by a tap on the ground floor
only, which arrangement makes it difficult for the upper tenants
to secure a supply. A test case was taken by the Woolwich
Borough Council, and the magistrate decided that a supply of
water from a tap in the yard was not a proper and sufficient
supply within the meaning of the Public Health (London) Act.
An order to abate the nuisance was made and costs imposed.
This, of course, is only a Police Court case. Nevertheless, the
decision is a useful one and may assist us in the future, should
we meet with similar cases.
UNDERGROUND BAKEHOUSE.
Information was received that a person was occupying an
underground bakehouse at the rear of premises in Montpelier
Yale, contrary to the provisions of the Factory and Workshop
Act, 1901. Your Council directed that a caution be sent to the
occupier, who, in reply, stated that he was prepared to carry out
any reasonable alterations to make it satisfactory. On a personal
examination of the premises it was found that it would be
difficult to render the bakehouse suitable, and it was also
pointed out that Section 101 of the Act referred to prohibited
the use of an underground bakehouse unless it was so used at
the passing of the Act. The premises in question were
not occupied previous to the passing of the Act and the occupier
subsequently vacated the premises.
SMOKE NUISANCE.
The Inspector entrusted with this duty made 254 observations
during the year as follows:— Laundries 30, flour mills