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132
ceptions only after notice had been given to the person responsible
to perform the necessary work to prevent such waste. Considering
the large number of houses in the Borough (27,000), the number
that were deprived of water (15) is exceedingly small. In each
of the 15 instances the Council's 24 hours' Notice under the provisions
of the East Ham Improvement Act was served upon the
owners, and in every case complied with by the water being
re-instated.
INTERNAL DAMPNESS.
This form of nuisance includes damp and dilapidated walls,
defective and insufficient underfloor ventilation, defective damp
courses.
On 424 occasions, as compared with 570 for the previous year,
it has been necessary by the service of Notice to call attention to
the existence of these defects. Work has been done by providing
better under-floor ventilation, and new damp courses have had
to be inserted to some property, which is a difficult and expensive
work to perform.
YARD AND FORECOURT PAVING.
During the year the provisions of the East Ham Improvement
Act, 1898, Section 34, with reference to the paving of open spaces
in connection with dwelling houses have been put in operation in
841 instances, the number for the previous year being 1,481. It is
found as a matter of experience that if the ground immediately
adjacent to the brickwork of the house is paved with an impervious
pavement it adds materially to the dryness of the house, as well
as helping to keep the interior floors clean. In all new houses
erected since the confirmation of the Council's Bye-Laws, 1908,
the provision of paving back and front is insisted upon, and in the
near future it will be an accomplished fact throughout the whole
Borough.
OVERCROWDING.
Thirty-three cases of overcrowding have been investigated
and dealt with by the service of Notice, as compared with 21 for
the previous year. In each instance the Notice was complied with
by either the occupants moving or the re-arranging of the sleeping