London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Kensington 1929

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]

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34
INCREASE OF RENT AND MORTGAGE INTEREST (RESTRICTIONS)
ACTS, 1920-23.
Applications made to the Council in 1929 for certificates under the Acts totalled 7, and
6 certificates were granted.
The comparative failure by tenants to attempt to make use of the provisions of the Acts is
probably due to the fact that most houses in a defective state of repair come under the notice of
the Sanitary Inspectors, who put the Public Health Acts into operation.
RAG FLOCK ACTS, 1911-1928.
Four samples of rag flock were analysed and reported upon during the year. They contained
2, 8, 10 and 18 parts of chlorine per 100,000, the limit set by the above Acts being 30 parts per
100,000.
NUISANCES FROM PIGEONS.
Section 52 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, provides that, for the
purpose of abating or mitigating any nuisance, annoyance or damage caused by the congregation at
any place in the Borough of house doves or pigeons having, or believed by the Council to have no
owner, or of preventing or minimising any such nuisance, annoyance or damage which might, in
the opinion of the Council, be so caused, the Council may seize and destroy or sell any such house
doves or pigeons in excess of such number as the Council may consider reasonable, and take such
steps as they may deem necessary for such purpose. It is necessary, however, in the first place for
the Council to obtain consent to the measures adopted by them from the person or body in whom
the building or land upon which the birds congregate is vested.
In June, 1928, the Council entered into an agreement with a Mr. Anthony for the destruction
of a number of pigeons, not exceeding 500, at a cost to the Council of 9d. for each pigeon.
In October, 1929, the Council terminated the contract with Mr. Anthony and engaged one of
the Council's workmen to undertake the work after official working hours in the evenings and
on Saturdays and Sundays. This man works under the supervision of Mr. Dawes, the Senior
Sanitary Inspector.
Much difficulty has been experienced in carrying out pigeon destruction, owing to the
opposition of the public. Indeed, it has been found almost useless to attempt to catch pigeons on
a public highway owing to interference from neighbouring residents and other persons, and the
obstruction caused to traffic by the fixing of pigeon traps.
The best results have been obtained at churches and other institutions where there are
enclosed spaces in which the man can operate and to which the public cannot gain admission.
Up to the end of 1929, 462 pigeons have been trapped by the pigeon catchers.