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45
By the Local Government Board Order of June 30th, 1898, this Authority
was given jurisdiction over the docks, and the area within the gates thereof
and the buildings thereon respectively.
In each dock, closet accommodation has to be provided, not only for the
large number of men engaged in connection with the unloading and loading
of vessels, but on the arrival of vessels in dock the closets on board are
closed (to avoid unnecessary pollution of the dock water), and so provision
has to be made for the crews of these vessels.
Some vessels have a crew of over 200, and it will be realised that a great
responsibility rests on this Authority, not only to see that the proper amount
of water-closet accommodation is provided, but that the disposal of the excreta
is carried out in a proper manner so as to prevent a nuisance arising.
Moreover, there are many factories, workshops, and work places within the
dock gates, also dwelling bouses for dock officials, and temporary buildings
for dock employes, police, Custom House officers, &c., and for all of these
closet accommodation has to be provided.
Owing to the majority of these closets, drains, cesspools, &c., having been
constructed many years ago, and without any proper supervision, your
inspectors find that much of this work is of faulty construction, e.g.. drains
are jointed with tow and clay, cesspits exist which are not constructed of
impervious material, and, as a consequence, the contents escape and pollute the
surrounding soil.
Section 39 (1) Public Health (London) Act, 1891, states that the (London)
County Council shall make Bye-laws with respect to water-closets, earthclosets,
privies, ash-pits, cesspools, and receptacles for dung, and the proper
accessories thereof in connection with buildings, whether constructed before
or after the passing of this Act.
Section 39 (2). Every sanitary authority shall make Bye-laws with respect
to the keeping of water-closets supplied with sufficient water for their efficient
action.
Under the Metropolitan Management Act Amendment Act, 1899, the
London County Council has power to make Bye-laws requiring the deposit
with the Sanitary Authorities of plans of drains, and giving notice as to
construction and reconstruction thereof.
The London County Council have made Bye-laws under the Section, but
the Public Health (London) Act expressly exempts the City of London from
the application thereof; and Section 112, Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
states that the Local Government Board may, by Order, extend to the
said Port (i.e., Port of London) a Byedaw made under the Act, otherwise
than by the Port Sanitary Authority, and any such Bye-law, until so extended,
shall not extend to the said Port.