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plaints respecting sanitary conveniences at public houses and beer
shops. About 250 of these premises (out of 309) are provided with
" conveniences," and to many of these objection is taken. During
the year there were seven cases of ill-construction which were
ultimately remedied. Fixed ashpits are being reduced slowly and
the new Act will give us necessary powers to expedite this reduction
and removal.
Medical Officers' Systematic Inspection—During
the year I have carried out a systematic inspection of houses and
properties in the following streets :—
Red Lion Street, Benjamin Street, Pump Court, Albion Place,
St. John's Lane, Francis Court, Berkley Court, St. John Street, Union
Place, Allen Street, Compton Street, Valetta Street, Sekforde Street,
Rosoman Street, Noble Street, Merlins Place, Margaret Street, Ann
Street, Spring Street, Sidney Street, Sidney Place, Sidney Grove,
Percival Street, Rahere Street, President Street, Macclesfield Street,
Macclesfield Place, Hall Street Cottage Lane, New Charles Street,
Buxton Street, Rawstorne Street, Wynyatt Street, Goswell Terrace,
Spencer Street, Albert Street, Sermon Lane, Chapel Street, James
Gardens.
A large number of defects and nuisances were found and
remedied by sanitary notices. There is a decided improvement in
the general sanitary condition in many of these streets, although
constant attention is necessary to keep much of this property up to
the mark. Fixed ashpits still exist in large numbers in certain
streets in Cler ken well.
SMOKE NUISANCES.
During the year 135 observations of black smoke were made by
the Inspectors. On 28 occasions the nuisance was of such degree
and quantity that notices had to be served, and in 3 cases legal
proceedings ensued. We received 11 official complaints from the
Public Control Department of the London County Council. I am
satisfied that much is being done year by year in this Borough in the
direction of securing an atmosphere unpolluted with black smoke,
and in a central district like Finsbury this is a matter of
importance.