View report page

of these houses have been requested to allow the Vestry to erect shafts
against them, but unfortunately they have not been found to respond as
readily as could be wished, and great difficulty has been experienced in
getting the required permission; but in spite of this some 50 shafts have
been erected during the year, and the work is still being proceeded with,
but compulsory powers should certainly be given to local authorities to
erect ventilating shafts in suitable positions.
NUISANCE CAUSED BY THE VENTILATORS OF THE LONDON
COUNTY COUNCIL SEWERS.
Numerous complaints were received concerning the offensive smells
emitted from the ventilators of the new sewer which has been recently
constructed by the London County Council between Hammersmith Road
and Melmoth Place, and as no notice was taken by the Council of
remonstrances and notices, the Vestry, after carefully considering reports
on the matter, issued summonses against the Council under the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, for not complying with their notices to abate
a nuisance caused by the emission of sewer gas from the sewer ventilators
at the junction of Hartismere and Dawes Road and in Melmoth Place.
The case was heard at the Kensington Petty Sessions when it was admitted
on behalf of the Council that the nuisance existed, but it was argued that the
Public Health (London) Act did not apply to public sewers constructed by
the London County Council and that the Bench had no jurisdiction to deal
with the nuisance. The Bench upheld this view and dismissed the summons
with £5 ss. costs.
Against this decision the Vestry appealed, and the Bench having
refused to state a case, the Superior Court has made a rule and directed the
Kensington Justice to state a special case for their consideration.
Combined Drainage.
The Bill to amend the Metropolis Management Act in respect of the
definition of the words "drain" and "sewer" has made no progress, and
there seems to be but little chance at present of its becoming law, and, as I
anticipated, the Vestry have been put to a considerable expense in relaying
the defective drains of houses drained by a combined operation, which, in
consequence of the combination not having been approved by the local
authority, are sewers within the meaning of the Metropolis Management Acts.
During the year the drains of 75 houses were relaid by the Vestry, and in
all probability that number will be considerably exceeded this year.