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60
covered up, and not until perhaps disease necessitates the drains
being tested is the work of the amateur drain cleaner disclosed.
During the year 2941 house drains have been cleared by the
Council's men, and it is essential to all concerned that stoppages
should be cleared speedily and efficiently.
Traps and Interceptors are frequently broken through ignorance,
for there is a great difference between clearing a drain and
sweeping a chimney.
HOUSES WITHOUT WATER.
There have been 105 official intimations from the Metropolitan
Water Board of water cut off from inhabited houses. Inspections
were at once made, and a 48 hours' Notice served upon the persons
liable to reinstate the water supply.
Under the provisions of Section 57 of the East Ham Improvement
Act, 1898, there is a penalty of £5 for permitting a house to
be occupied without water.
A conviction was obtained under this Section in April, and a
fine of Twenty shillings and costs inflicted.
REMOVAL OF HOUSE REFUSE.
The work of collecting the house refuse has been for many
years vested in the Public Health Department.
The Borough is divided into six sub-districts for this purpose,
being a division of the Borough for each working day of the week,
so that each householder knows the day and approximately the
hour to expect the dust van.
During the year very few complaints have been received in
respect to non-collection of dust.
The Council's regular dustmen are trustworthy servants and
experienced at their work, and I have pleasure in stating that they
have done their work in a manner which reflects credit upon themselves
and their employers.