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66
METROPOLITAN SEWERS AND DRAINS BILL.
The object of this Bill was to amend the state of the law relating to
combined drainage. It was introduced in the Commons by a private member
in the Session of 1908, and again in that of 1909, but in neither year did it
reach a second reading.
A memorandum attached to the Bill quotes the following observations
of the Lord Chief Justice:—
"It seems to me, as I have before pointed out to be essential, that
"there should be some amendment of the law upon this subject. The
"state of the authorities is such that it appears to be impossible either
"to reconcile the various decisions or to deduce from them any logical
"rule."
The Bill met with the general approval of the Metropolitan Borough
Councils and the Corporation of London. Several Provincial authorities,
notably, West Ham, Croydon, Carlisle, Leighton, Wood Green, Sheffield, &c.,
have been successful in obtaining the powers which the Metropolitan
Local Authorities ask for by this Bill.
SMOKE NUISANCES.
Fourteen cases of smoke nuisance were reported during 1909. The
number of observations recorded amounted to 287, as against 542 noted at
twelve premises in 1908.
The service of Notices upon offenders resulted in the abatement of the
nuisances in all cases, and therefore there has been no occasion to take further
action in the matter.
In my Annual Report for 1908 reference was made to some amendments
suggested by the London County Council with a view of strengthening the
powers of both the Council and Local Authorities in the Metropolis for abating
smoke nuisances.
Part IV. of the London County Council (General Powers) Bill to be laid
before Parliament this Session contains several proposed amendments, and
extensions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, for this purpose.
These are contained in Sections 20, 21 and 22 of the Bill.
Under Section 20 powers are sought to amend Section 24 of Public Health
(London) Act, 1891 (summary proceedings for abatement of nuisance caused