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authority on ceasing to use any drain or similar sanitary fitting, and to make it
an offence to cease to use any such drain or sanitary fitting without efficient
sealing off.
(b) That legislation be not promoted for (i.) the registration of rat catchers,
or (ii.) extending liability under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, to the
owner as well as the occupier of rat-infested premises.
Clauses to deal with the proposed legislation were included in the London
County Council (Genera) Powers) Rill, 1923, but having regard to certain points
of difficulty it was decided to give further consideration to the proposal before
proceeding with the promotion of legislation on the subject.
Smoke Abatement.
The smoke shafts in the Borough were frequently kept under observation
and in 385 cases the inspections were recorded. Many of these observations were
made in the early morning when smoke pollution is more prevalent. Generally
the observations extended over periods not less than one hour. Twelve complaints
were received and 20 notices served, including five statutory notices.
In several cases the persons concerned have supplied a better quality coal,
and taken care not to burn coal dust. Cases have been brought to our notice
where stokers have no means of knowing that black smoke is being emitted from
the chimney. This difficulty has been overcome by a suitable arrangement of
mirrors.
Some of the complaints referred to premises where on inspection it was
found that oil fuel was being used. I therefore made enquiries and investigations
to ascertain the best method of dealing with smoke nuisances arising from the
use of this fuel. As a result I ascertained that the chief factor in reducing the
amount of smoke created was the minute adjustment of the amount of air
entering the chamber where the oil fuel was being burnt.
Common Lodging Houses Acts, 1851 and 1853.
Seventeen Common Lodging Houses are registered in the Borough for 1.220
lodgers, viz , 1,058 males and 162 females.
The Common Lodging House accommodation in Holborn is equal to 28 beds
per 1,000 of the population, a higher rate than in any other Metropolitan area
except the City of London. The death-rate amongst common lodging house
residents is very high; in this Borough it was 39 per 1,000 in 1922.