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53
them as at Greenwich and I am satisfied that the maintenance
staff make every effort to meet our demands.
Greenwich is suffering, unfortunately, from a legacy of incredible
stupidity in planning (or lack of planning) in the past and an easy
or early solution of our problem is not apparent.
Smells From the River.—There were again complaints
received from residents about smells from the River during the
summer months and there is little to add to my remarks in my last
report.
Apart from the diminished river flow and the exposure of
riverside mud to putrefactive activities there appears to be no
doubt that sewage effluents being discharged into the River are
below a satisfactory standard.
The Port Medical Officer of Health confirms that below Barking
there is a permanent high concentration of sewage which moves up
and down stream with the tides. One large contribution to the
solution of the problem would be the completion of schemes on the
north and south banks, particularly the north, for the efficient
treatment of sewage and the discharge of an innocuous effluent.
Fortunately, and contrary to popular belief, the smells, although
unpleasant, are harmless, but, of course, the water is grossly polluted
and would be dangerous if consumed inadvertently.
With tho increasing rainfall and the dropping of temperatures
the nuisance abated as the level of the River rose.
Nuisances Arising From Bombed Sites and E.W.S.
Tanks.—Since last year there has been no progress towards the
formulation of a policy in regard to bombed sites and E.W.S.
tanks and the remarks which I made in my previous report can
stand almost unaltered.
When one considers the serious concern of all civic-proud
residents of our Borough, the absence of any positive National
policy or legal help to enable the Public Health Committee to clean
up or to enforce the cleaning up of such unsightly areas is all the
more regrettable.
Defective Dwellings.—Repairs.—With regard to houses
found not to be in a reasonable state of repair, the following
procedure, classified under three headings, is generally adopted:—
(1) Complaints from or on behalf of the occupier.—The District
Sanitary Inspector makes inspection and an intimation is sent to the
owner specifying the defect and nature of nuisance found. Where
necessary, the circumstances are reported to the Public Health
Committee for authority to serve a Statutory Notice to enforce