Tag Archives: 1923

Lower Green Public Conveniences

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Built around 1929 underground, opposite the Burn Bullock, and behind the water trough.

Clip of 1975 photo taken by Bill Rudd, and reproduced here by kind permission of the Merton Historical Society

The gas lamp post shown between the toilets in this photo was added to the local list by Merton Council on 12th July, 2017, as a result of a campaign by Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage.

The need for a public convenience at this spot was debated in 1923.

From the minutes of the Mitcham Urban District council
Volume IX April 1923 to March 1924
Pages 291 to 292

Report of Sub-Committee appointed to consider the question of the provision of Public Conveniences.
Meeting held Monday, October 15th, 1923.

Present : Mr. R. F. Langley (Chairman), Messrs. H. J. Davis, J. Fitch and W. H. Parslow.

The Sub-Committee considered the matter referred to them by the Public Health Committee, and beg to submit the following suggestions :-

1. The need for public conveniences in certain parts of Mitcham is becoming more and more apparent every year, and with the constant increase in the number of visitors brought into the district by the omnibus and tramway services it is essential that the matter should be taken in hand at a very early date.

2. The Sub-Committee consider that the most pressing needs are for public conveniences (for both sexes) upon the Fair Green and the Lower Green.

3. The site upon the Fair Green has already been determined by the Council, and the plans of the Surveyor have been the matter is now before the Ministry of Health.

4. The provision of a convenience on the Lower Green is, therefore, in the opinion of the Sub-Committee, the most pressing need at the present time. every day a large number of persons are brought to this spot owing to its being the terminus of a well patronised bus service.

5. The Sub-Committee suggest that the most suitable site for a convenience is upon the triangular piece of ground, now planted as a shrubbery, between the ” Cricketers ” Inn and Messrs. Barclays Bank ; and the Committee further suggest that a convenience constructed upon this site could be of an external design which would be in no way a disfigurement to the Green.

6. The Sub-Committee look upon the provision of a convenience in the vicinity of the omnibus terminus as an essential.

From the minutes of the Mitcham Urban District council, volume XIV, 1928 to 1929, page 124:

32. PUBLIC CONVENIENCE, Lower Green. – It was Resolved, That the Council be recommended to instruct the Surveyor to report as to suitable sites for a public convenience on or adjacent to the Cricket Green.

The council had also considered removing the water trough, but held off until they could get agreement on widening the London Road.

In considering the sites for the toilets, the council considered next to the Cricketers pub, and the island opposite Barclays Bank. Page 201 of the above minutes says:

An overground convenience … would destroy the amenity of this corner of the Cricket Green

The problem with an underground convenice though was the cost, as Riley Schofield concluded:

I would like to point out to the Committee that underground conveniences are a very costly proposition. The site will have to be wholly excavated and carted to tip. The walls must be constructed as retaining walls, and also covered on the outside with asphalte to render the structure waterproof. The roof will have to be constructed of
reinforced concrete and provided with prismatic pavement lights, or, as an alternative, the structure could project 2 feet or so above the ground and be lighted by means of lantern lights. Steps will have to be provided, and these are costly and wasteful of space. Ventilation is also an expensive item. It may be necessary to raise the sewage by
mechanical means, necessitating a constant charge for the supply of water.

The decision to go with an underground convenience, behind the water trough, was made and reported on pages 276 to 277, although the Surveyor was asked to provide estimates for a partially underground as well wholly underground. Page 451 shows that his estimates were close, £2,100 for partially vs £2,500 for wholly underground, and he recommended the latter. Page 457 shows that the council agreed with his recommendation.

In volume XV, 1929 to 1930, page 104, the council asked the Ministry of Health for a loan of £3,500 to build the underground public convenience. Adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to around £200,000 in 2017 values. Page 207 shows that the Ministry approved the loan and so the Surveyor was instructed to put it out to tenders. Page 311 reports that 11 firms had submitted tenders for the job, and that the Horley firm of Mr J. CREWDSON had been accepted, for the amount of £2,672. The Horley Local History Society has more on this builder, who also has a road there named after him.

No further details are available in council minutes as to when the convenience was completed.

From the minutes of the Mitcham Urban District council
Volume XVI, 1930 to 1931
Page 178

9. PUBLIC CONVENIENCE The Surveyor reported that he would find it necessary to engage the services of a full time attendant at the public convenience on the Lower Green, and that the annual cost thereof would amount to £352, this being a sum somewhat in excess of the original estimate. Resolved, That the Surveyor be authorised to make the necessary appointment.

Minutes of meetings held by the Mitcham Urban District Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.

1923 Sanitary Inspector Report

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Source : the Wellcome Library

ANNUAL REPORT OF SANITARY INSPECTOR

To the Chairman and Members of the Urban District Council of Mitcham.

Mrs. Hallowes and Gentlemen,

I beg to submit my ninth annual report on the work carried out in the district during the year 1923 by myself, Mr. R. Richards and Mr. A. Handley (Assistant Inspector, permanently appointed in October last).

This extra assistance has brought the arrears of house-to-house inspection fairly well up to date, and by the exercise of closer supervision, better work is obtained. Only two householders availed themselves of the provisions of the Rents Restriction Acts by applying for certificates of unfitness of their premises. With a view to keeping down the mosquito nuisance as much as possible, the ponds, pools, ditches and other mosquito breeding places were regularly sprayed with paraffin during the summer months. I append a summary of the character of work done in the course of the year:- 951 intimatory notices were served. In 319 instances it was necessary to report for authority to serve statutory notice, followed in four instances by legal proceedings before the magistrates, resulting in fines and costs amounting to £2 16s. being imposed.

Summary of Sanitary Work carried out in the District during the year ended December 31st, 1923.

Total number of visits paid 7662
Number of complaints received and investigated 191
Number of premises inspected 2157
Number of premises revisited 3966
Number of nuisances discovered 1489
Number of nuisances abated without report 756
Number of nuisances abated after report 399
Number of intimatory notices served 951
Number of statutory notices served 319
Notices followed by legal proceedings 4
Houses inspected under the Housing and Town Planning Act 217
Number of revisits to infected houses 78
Number of house drains tested 13
Number of drains found defective 10
Number of tests applied to new drainwork 8

Character of Work Done.

Houses repaired and cleansed generally 441
Overcrowding abated 14
Roofs repaired 177
Damp walls remedied 9
Eaves guttering and spouting renewed or repaired 165
Water closets renewed, repaired or cleaned 59
Water closet flushing cisterns and flush pipes renewed or repaired 111
Water cisterns cleansed or covered 50
Water supply to houses reinstated 5
Back yards paved or paving repaired 78
Floors repaired 135
Dustbins provided 199
Premises where animals improperly kept were removed or improved 7
Offensive accumulations removed 30
Urinals cleansed or repaired 10
Piggeries repaired or improved 7
Houses or parts disinfected and cleansed 184
Smoke nuisances abated 6
Houses at which drains were reconstructed or new provided 9
Drains repaired, cleansed, trapped or ventilated 179

Slaughterhouses.

There are two registered slaughterhouses and five annually licensed slaughterhouses, one of which is used as a knackers’ premises and another for slaughtering horses for exportation for human food. These are visited periodically to see that the byelaws in force, including the use of the ” humane killer,” are conformed to. 270 visits in all were paid. On no occasion was there any cause for serious complaint.

Factories, Workshops and Outworkers.

272 visits have been paid to these premises, including 66 to bakehouses, of which there are 16 in use, six using mechanical power. There are no underground bakehouses. (See Appendix).

Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops.

Two new premises were registered during the year. At one shop the sale of milk has ceased. 114 visits have been paid to the 37 registered premises.

Piggeries.

Pigkeeping has greatly diminished in this district during the last few years. These premises are regulated by a model set of byelaws which are strictly enforced. 190 visits were made.

Marine Stores.

There are only two marine stores in the district. To these 76 visits were paid. No complaint has been made respecting them.

Food Inspection.

In addition to the inspection of animals and meat carcases being prepared for food at the slaughterhouses, 381 visits were paid to butchers’ shops, fishshops and other places where food is sold. Four pigs’ heads, 26 stone of fish and a sack of winkles were destroyed after examination and surrender.

The necessary disinfection has been carried out at 184 premises after removal or recovery of cases of infectious disease. 4,232 articles of bedding and clothing have been removed to the steam disinfector at the Wandle Valley Joint Isolation Hospital.

SHOPS ACTS.

As Inspector under the Shops Acts, 1913 to 1921,1 have kept a large number of observations on shopkeepers, especially confectioners and mixed trades. Most activity was in connection with complaint^ 33 as to the irregular closing of shops on Sundays. Printed and verbal warnings were given the tradesmen most concerned throughout the district.

PETROLEUM ACTS.

As Inspector under the Petroleum Acts I periodically visit the 45 licensed premises for the storage of petroleum spirit and carbide of calcium, of which four were newly licensed during the year. The total amount of spirit permitted to be kept is 28,078 gallons. Several underground storage systems have been installed during the year ; others are considering the adoption of the system, which is to be encouraged.

I am,

Your obedient servant,

Charles G. Rabbetts,

Senior Sanitary Inspector.