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15
was closed, the Proprietress agreeing to take a more suitable
house.
Three other cases of overcrowding were abated on notices
being served.
There is, unfortunately, a great deal of overcrowding in South
Wimbledon. In many cases, 2 families occupy a house which is
suitable only for one. This is due to the very high rents
demanded by owners of cottage property. The earnings of the
working classes do not allow of their setting apart more than a
certain sum for rent, so that a man with a large family is often
unable to pay for more than a share of a small house.
WATER SUPPLY.
Owing to the Lambeth Water Works Company having sunk a
deep well at Streatham and having fixed powerful pumps, several
Artesian Wells in Wimbledon were completely drained, and in
others the water level much lowered. This action of the Water
Company necessitated the laying on of water from their own
mains to about 116 houses which were formerly supplied from
these wells.
The result is beneficial, as in many cases the water from these
wells was not sufficient for the number of houses it was
supposed to supply.
UNSOUND FOOD
Several cases of fish have been condemned and destroyed as
being unfit for human consumption. No action was taken, as
the fishmongers themselves drew the attention of the Sanitary
Officer to the state of the fish on delivery to them.
A quantity of bad shrimps, which were exposed for sale by a
Hawker in the Broadway, were seized by the Inspector and
condemned by a Justice, who ordered them to be destroyed.
This was done. The man was not prosecuted. However, he has
not since hawked his goods in the District.