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39
of the whole building was made. We found several of the water closets
in a filthy condition, dilapidated, and in one or two instances choked,
the walls and ceiling damp from leakage, the yard paving defective, no
traps to the sinks, and the urinals in a very foul condition. Each sergeant's
quarters consist of two rooms, a living room and a sleeping room,
but as most of them have families, both rooms are used as sleeping rooms.
In each living room is a leaden sink, having a water tap over, and a
waste pipe underneath communicating directly with the sewer, in most
instances without any intermediate trap. The quarters and staircases
were in most instances dirty, and the whole building dirty and in very
bad repair. In accordance with the instructions of the committee, the
usual notices were served upon the "owners" to do the necessary repairs,
trap the drains, and disconnect the waste pipes from the sewer. No
notice whatever was taken, and eventually it was decided to issue a summons,
which was done, and in due course the case came on for hearing
before Mr. Bushby at Worship-street.
Mr. Burrows, sanitary inspector, after describing the condition of the
buildings, stated that he had served notices in respect of each building,
but being unable to find out who was the responsible authority, the
notices were made to the "owner."
Mr. Bushby asked if anyone appeared in answer to the summons, and
a gentleman, who said he was an officer of the Royal Engineers, stationed
at the Tower, but who declined to give his name, replied that he appeared.
The premises, he said, nominally belonged to the Secretary of State,
having been recently taken over from the county. He was sorry to say
this was only one case in which barracks were in a bad state. The
matter was under the consideration of the Secretary of State. Mr. Bushby
6aid, that that meant the barracks were in the oc3upation of the Government.
The gentleman replied that, to a certain extent, no doubt they
were. This was the first time they had been favoured with the visit of
a sanitary officer. Mr. Bushby remarked that he thought it strange
a magistrate should be called on to make an order against the Secretary of
State, if the matter was under the control of his department; and after
hearing the medical evidence, said he would adjourn the case for fourteen
days, when something might be arranged.
At the rehearing, counsel held on behalf of the authorities that, as the