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4
DRAINAGE.
The most important matter which you have had to consider during the year has
been the proper sewering and draining of the district.
You have at considerable expense employed a most eminent engineer, Mr. G.
Midgley Taylor, C.E., to thoroughly examine the district, and to ascertain, by a series
of trial holes, the varying water levels in various parts of the particular area to be drained,
and to report to you what he considers the best method (in his opinion) of dealing with a
flat and straggling parish like ours. The scheme which he has presented to you is being
, discussed in all its bearings. That it must be expensive no one doubts: at the same time
it is better to take a comprehensive view of future requirements, and possible extensions,
than to confine ourselves to the narrow limits of the present. Many districts have made
the latter mistake, to the misfortune of the ratepayers. It has taken up a considerable
amount of your time, which the ratepayers should appreciate.
HOUSE TO HOUSE INSPECTION.
This is going on steadily and satisfactorily, and cases are very rare where owners
have required pressure to be applied to make them carry out the necessary remedies ordered.
HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACTS.
No action has so far been taken during the year under these Acts. The distress
amongst the poorer population has been very acute during the year. This must of course
rebound upon the owners of cottage property, who have not the means themselves of doing
all they would had there been more prosperous times. With the great expense of drainage
looming up on the horizon the situation does not lend itself to the launching out in the
erection and provision of workmen's dwellings. There can be no denying the fact that
too great a proportion of the working man's wages goes in actual rent, often to the
detriment of the inner man. The tendency of districts so near the Metropolis like ours
is to build property quite unsuitable to the working man's pocket, and whether the Town
Planning Bill will help in this direction remains to be seen.
NEW BUILDINGS AND DEVELOPMENT.
Building is practically at a standstill, and according to the Assistant Overseer's
returns only 5 houses were erected from June 1907 to June 1908. There were actually
6 less occupied in June 1908 than in June 1907.
Great improvement has been noticed both in the roads and footpaths, and the
scavenging of the same is carried out in a very satisfactory and cleanly manner. The
extension of the portable dustbins to cottage property cannot have but a beneficial effect
on'the occupiers by the regular removal of refuse away from the premises.
WATER SUPPLY.
The extension of the Company's main from Lower Feltham to Ashford Clumps
which you have been recently considering is a very necessary improvement. The guarantee
required would, I feel sure, soon be wiped out as the wells in this region are anything
but reliable.
The constituent authorities supplied by the South West Suburban Water Company,
after many years of uncertainty, now know clearly where they stand with regard to rating
and sale of water by meter.