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68
OVERCROWDING.—Overcrowding is a nuisance to be dealt with summarily
under Section 2, Sub-section 1 (e), of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and
during the year four cases were reported by your officers. On the service of the statutory
notice of abatement the overcrowding was discontinued in each instance.
SANITARY DEFECTS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE.—In every case of
notification of infectious disease, the premises involved were inspected with regard
to the drainage system, water supply, ventilation, &c.; and of the 140 cases
so investigated in 1919, it was found necessary to reconstruct the sanitary system
in one instance, and to make amendments to soil and waste pipes, water-closets,
&c., in 36 others.
HOUSE, TRADE AND OTHER REFUSE REMOVAL.—The City Engineer
informs me that the refuse removed from the City in 1919 consisted of 13,848
cartloads of street sweepings and slops, and 36,797 loads of house and trade refuse,
a total of 50,645 loads. The total for the year 1918 was 52,036. The use of the
Destructor was discontinued in September, 1905, since which date all refuse has
been removed by barge from Lett's Wharf to the Corporation land on Hornchurch
Marshes, where it is dealt with. The horse manure collected from the street
orderly bins is not included in the above, but is dealt with by a contractor, who
sells it to market gardeners and others.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.—During the year 531 notices have been served
by the District Inspectors at the order of the Sanitary Committee, and in one case
only, i.e., 8, Mitre Street, was it found necessary, in consequence of non-compliance
therewith, to refer the matters to the City Solicitor with a view to such steps
being taken as he deemed necessary to ensure the required sanitary improvements
being effected, and the costs thereof recovered.
SUMMER FLUSHING OF COURTS.—There are 279 courts and narrow
passages throughout the City which were regularly flushed during the summer
months under the direction of the City Engineer, who informs me that in this
service and the flushing of the main streets, no less than 47,911,122 gallons of
water were used. Of these courts and alleys, 20 were flushed six times a week,
10 five times a week, 2 four times a week, 27 three times a week, 126 twice a week,
and 94 once a week.
Disinfectants are also freely applied where desirable.
The condition of the approaches to Billingsgate Market and the Customs House,
as heretofore, required special attention. There has always been a difficulty in
keeping the thoroughfares in the immediate vicinity of these places free from the
nuisance caused by the drippings from the fish carts, especially during hot
weather.
LIMEWASHING OF COURTS.—There are 89 courts and narrow passages
situated in various parts of the City, the walls of which, unless cleansed frequently,
become dirty and unsightly through the constant traffic of passengers or vehicles,
together with the action of the smoke-laden atmosphere. These are cleansed or
limewashed twice a year under the direction of the City Engineer. Of the places
so dealt with during 1919, 24 were situated in the East District, 33 in the Middle
District, and 32 in the West District.
REMOVAL OF HUMAN REMAINS.—During the year only one instance of
the disturbance of human remains in the City has been brought to my notice,
and the following is a brief summary of the facts relating thereto :—
32 /33 Farringdon Street.—In the course of excavation in connection
with the erection of a new building on the site of that previously known as 32 /33,
Farringdon Street, a small quantity of human remains were unearthed. The
bones were quite dry and not in an offensive condition. They bore evidence of
having been disturbed on some previous occasion. They were re-interred on the
site