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Health, who visited the Gas Works accompanied by two of the
Council's sanitary inspectors and two representatives of the
South Eastern Gas Board. A communication was subsequently
received from the Ministry's Inspector stating that complaint
is likely to occur with more or less justification so long as the
retort houses continue in operation, as the method of carbonisation
is such that some emission of grit, etc. is inevitable. In this
connection the amount of coal carbonised at these works is
likely progressively to fall as new plant becomes available at the
East Greenwich Works.
The handling of coal by grab also contributed to the
nuisance, especially with unfavourable winds and dry coal.
Measures were taken, however, to reduce such wind-whipping
but elimination was considered to be impracticable. The
South Eastern Gas Board were asked to do all that is practicable
to keep emissions to a minimum.
Bombed Sites and Static Water Tanks.
Complaints were received from time to time of nuisances
arising from the deposit of organic refuse on bombed sites and
in static water tanks. In the case of the former, the Borough
Engineer and Surveyor arranged for the removal of the offensive
matter. Static water tanks, however, presented difficulties
as they frequently contained stagnant water. When requested
by the Public Health Department, the London Fire Brigade
arranged for the water to be pumped out. This often left a
quantity of foul smelling sludge and the only way to deal with
the matter was to have the tanks entirely cleaned out. The
Public Health Committee approved this course of action where
necessary.
Nuisance from Mosquitoes in the vicinity of the Heme Hill
Track.
A number of complaints were received from residents in
the area of the Herne Hill Track of a nuisance caused by the
presence of mosquitoes. The district sanitary inspector made
investigations and secured a live specimen of the fly alleged to
be causing the trouble, which was identified at the British
Museum as a mosquito of the culex molestus species. A general
survey of the area was therefore made for underground water
where these pests might be breeding. Samples of larvae and
flies were subsequently taken from the ditch and cesspit on the
site of the Heme Hill Track and a Notice was served on the
lessees under the provisions of Section 83 of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936, in relation to the ditch and drains on the
property. The open ditch was piped in and no further complaints
have been received.