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62 administrative work.
The administrative work relating to the deposit of plans and notices for reconstruction of
drainage, is in the hands of the Department. The notices received during the year numbered
367, involving the despatch of 728 letters and communications. Proceedings with reference
to infringements of the by-laws, relating to the deposit of plans, were necessary in 6 instances,
as compared with 11 in 1908.
Since the by-laws relating to the deposit of plans and notices in pursuance of Sec. 202
of the Metropolis Management Act 1855 were introduced, the builder or contractor has been,
until last year, deemed to be the person responsible for the sending in of those documents.
The decision given on appeal in Kershaw v. Brooks on the 8th February last, throws that
responsibility on the person who actually gives the order for the work to be done.
Amendment of the by-laws was suggested by the Hampstead Borough Council to restore the
original practice, but the proposal did not meet with approval. It was thought that the fact
of "owners" and not "builders" being liable to penalties for not giving notices and
depositing plans, would result in more complete notification of works and the deposit of
better plans. Experience has confirmed that view.
Combined Drainage.—Apart from the Queen's Park Estate 12 defective combined systems
were discovered and reconstructed during the year—eleven by the Council and one by the
owners. (See below).
Reconstructed by Council.
Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6, Orme Square and Nos. 45 to 58, Porchester Gardens Mews.
No. 44a, Bark Place. Nos. 215 and 217, Edgware Road.
Nos. 55, 57 and 59, Richmond Road. Nos. 24 to 58, Alfred Road.
Nos. 5, 7 and 9, Portsdown Road. Nos. 13 and 15a Connaught Street.
No. 3, Lanark Place and No. 24 Clarendon Nos. 49 and 51, Talbot Road.
Terrace. Nos. 30 to 40, Courtnell Street.
Nos. 5, 6 and 7, Warwick Crescent.
Reconstructed by Owners.
Nos. 11 to 19, Westbourne Park Road.
Five new systems of combined drainage were sanctioned by the Council under Sec. 74
of the Metropolis Management Act, 1855, viz.:—
Nos. 1 to 110, Wymering Mansions. No. 558, Harrow Road.
Nos. 3 and 4, Tamplin Mews. Nos. 23, 25 and 27, Formosa Street.
Nos. 2 and 4, Woodfield Road.
Smoke Prevention.—Twenty-four (24) premises (see opposite) were under observation
during the past year, the total time of watching being 118 hours. In 1908, 28 premises were
under observation for 149 hours. The emissions of "black" smoke observed amounted to a
total of 50 minutes last year, as compared with 59 minutes in 1908. Other shades of smokes
were recorded with a total emission of 81¼ hours, as compared with 110.2 in the preceding year.
The appended comparative statement of the proportions of "black smoke," "smoke,"
and "no smoke," shows clearly the improvement which has taken place in the Borough, and
at the same time affords evidence of the need of legislation to control the emission of
"smoke."