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176
Complaint having been received that the receptacle for refuse in the basement was
in a foul condition, led to an examination of the premises, with the following result.
It was found that the various water closets wore fitted with tilting water pans and
iron containers, all in an extremely foul condition. In several instances the water pans
were gone, and the emanations of the foul containers rose freely into the closets.
The cisterns, supplying the people living on the 1st, 2nd, and 8rd floors, were
found in the water closets close up to the ceilings, so that an examination of the state
of the cisterns could only he made by removing the floor boards of the water closet
overhead. This having boon done the cisterns wore found to be in a, very filthy
condition, and there was abundant evidence that the water was fouled by excrementitious
matters overflowing the closet pans. Against that contingency it did not appear that
the builder, nor even the architect, had thought it necessary to take any precaution
whatever.
As soon as these conditions were ascertained the tenants wore immediately
cautioned not to use the water, and within a low days a, supply was laid on direct from
the main.
Following thereon, and after full discussion with an architect representing the
Company, the whole of the foul cisterns and filthy water closet arrangements wore
cleared away, and each w.c. fitted up in a superior manner after the Shoreditch pattern.
The objectionable arrangements whereby the refuse of 24 dwellings was deposited
in the basement warehouse, have also boon cleared away, and a space in the open air
under the stone stairs has boon utilized, and now forms a suitable receptacle.
4
To ensure these works being done in a proper manner it has boon necessary
for me to assume, not only the position of architect, but also of Clerk of Works on behalf
of the owner, and it is quite certain the work would not have boon done properly if
that had not boon done.
BATH PLACE AND RIVINGTON STREET.
It was reported as to tho houses in Bath Place (Nos. 1 to 15), and as to the houses
15, 17, 19, 21, 28, 25, 27, 29, and 81, Rivington Street, abutting 011 the houses 1 to 10,
Bath Place, that the whole of these houses worn worn out and dilapidated structures,
that they were very closely packed together, that efforts had boon repeatedly made in
past years to improve their condition, but as they were held on short leases it had not
boon possible to secure durable work, and the houses were again in an insanitary
condition. On receipt of that report, the late Medical Officer of Health reported the
premises under "Torren's Act" to the London County Council, following upon which
the Council directed notices to bo served on the houses in Bath Place, under the now
"Housing of the Working Classes Act,'' requiring their closure (which has been effected),
and notices to bo served on the houses in Rivington Street for repairing the same, under