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125
as a properly covered cistern erected in a suitable position affording
facilities for cleansing. In the future these figures must get
smaller and smaller until they entirely disappear.
HOUSES WITHOUT WATER.
The Metropolitan Water Board found it necessary to cut the
water off from premises within the Borough on 12 occasions, as
compared with 15 for the previous year, and 22 for the year 1912.
In every case the water was cut off for waste, and with few exceptions
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 (27,517), the number
that were deprived of water (12) is exceedingly small. In each
of the 12 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 and defective damp
courses.
On 194 occasions, as compared with 424 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
818 instances, the number for the previous year being 841. 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.