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SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Closet Accommodation.
The water carriage system is general throughout the Borough
with the exception of one or two outlying places where no sewers
are available and cess pools have to be used.
Drainage.
During the year new drains were constructed to 126 new
buildings, and the drains of 512 existing buildings were partially
or entirely reconstructed under the supervision of the Sanitary
Inspectors.
Scavenging.
The collection of house refuse is undertaken by the Borough
Engineer and Surveyor's department of the Council. A weekly
collection is the rule, but where necessary a more frequent collection
is made in the case of blocks of tenements, boarding houses,
etc.
The practice of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor to notify
this department of addresses with an insufficient or dilapidated
dust bin was continued, and during the year 217 notices were
served on owners of premises where there was an improper dust
bin.
Smoke Abatement.
The Public Health (Smoke Abatement) Act, 1926, came into
operation during the year under review.
The principal provisions of the Act deal with the following
matters:—
Power to take proceedings in respect of a nuisance from
smoke which is not black; extension of " smoke " to include soot
and grit and gritty particles; increase of penalties; to make
by-laws prescribing standards as to the emission of smoke, and
in respect of cooking and heating arrangements in new buildings
other than private dwelling houses; power to the Minister of
Health to authorise the County Council to carry out duties with
regard to smoke abatement in default of the Sanitary Authority,
and power to the Minister of Health to extend the operation of
the Alkali Act.
In a circular from the Ministry of Health to Local Authorities
it was stated that much progress has already been made in abating
nuisances from smoke, and the Minister is convinced that, by the
wise exercise of the powers now vested in Local Authorities and
the co-operation of bodies representing industrial interests, much