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22
CEMETERIES.
There are four large Cemeteries, covering over 250 acres,
situated in the northern part of the Borough, of excellent soil and
important burial grounds for the Metropolis. The largest is the
City of London Cemetery. There are also Churchyards attached
to the two ancient Parish Churches of St. Mary Magdalene, East
Ham, and St. Mary the Virgin, Little Ilford.
I have inspected them all and found them satisfactory.
RIVER RODING.
The River Roding which forms the eastern boundary of the
Borough (and into which is poured the effluent of several districts),
is frequently in a polluted condition.
The new bridges crossing the river in the Romford and Barking
Roads are now completed, and are of great benefit to all who
use the High Roads.
BUILDING OPERATIONS.
Plans for 699 single tenements, 36 double tenements and 44
shops (779) have been submitted and approved during the year,
as compared with 1,202 for the previous year.
The average number of houses erected during the past five
years is 1,300 per annum.
A number of inspections have been made under the Customs
and Inland Revenue Act, 1890, on application from owners for
exemption from Inhabited House Duty.
These were granted to 401 tenements where they were
constructed so as to afford suitable accommodation for each of the
families or persons inhabiting them, and that due provision for
their sanitary requirements was made.
A large number of applications have been refused because
the necessary requirements have not been satisfactory. This
work of inspecting properties at the request of owners occupies a
great deal of the time of the Medical Officer of Health, especially
is this the case, where the houses are occupied by two families,
and the landlord thinks that if he lets to each family direct he is
entitled to exemption.