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96
The keeping of records and general office work has always
been a special feature of the Public Health Department. An
accurate and detailed account of the work performed, and for
which a small special staff of trained clerks is engaged, has
been observed for the past sixteen years, so no new departure
will be necessary to comply with the Board's wishes.
The sections of the Housing, Town Planning etc. Act,
dealing with insanitary and dilapidated houses will be of greater
advantage to East Ham in years to come than at present, as it
is, as I have previously stated, a comparatively new district,
but any legislation, which assists in making healthy homes—
which means happier people—must be welcomed by all
interested in the common good of their fellows.
Drains Unstopped and Cleansed.—In reviewing the nature
of the nuisances in the Table on page 89, it will be seen that
choked drains occupy the foremost position, the number of
houses affected and attended to equals 2,117, being an increase
of 512 for the previous year. In Beckton and North Woolwich
Ward there are 2,605 houses, and at 525 of these it was necessary
for the drains to receive attention, being equal to 20 per
cent. These figures certainly appear large, but the explanation
is that the system of drainage is of the kind known as " Combined,"
and if the main drain is choked near the sewer connection
it affects a large number of houses, and judging from the
articles we frequently have had to remove from drains, one
is compelled to state that there has often been carelessness on
the part of the tenants. In Plashet Ward East there are 3,482
houses, and at 107 of these we have been called upon to
clear the drains, which is equal to nearly 3 per cent., while in
Plashet Ward West there are 4,402 houses, and 252 stoppages
occurred, which is equal to 5-7 per cent. In Central
Ward West the figures are 4,204 houses, stoppages 483, or
ii'4 per cent., and in Central Ward East 4,252 houses, 303
stoppages, or 6-6 per cent. The combined Plashet Wards are
equal to 4-5 per cent., while the two Central Wards equal 9-0
per cent. The system of drainage in both districts is the same,