View report page

23
Premises and Occupations which can be controlled by
Bye-laws or Regulations.
A reference to bye-laws in regard to houses let in lodgings will be
found in the section relating to "Housing."
Underground Rooms.
During the year 16 underground rooms were found to be illegally
in use, and were suitably dealt with.
The required standard to which such rooms must conform, if used
for sleeping purposes, is laid down in the Public Health (London) Act,
1891, and in the Regulations made by the Borough Council under
section 17 (7) of the Housing, Town Planning, &c., Act, 1909.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
Under the provisions of this Act it is a punishable offence for any
parson to fail to take such steps as may from time to time be necessary
and reasonably practicable for the destruction of these pests on or in
any land, building, etc , of which he is the occupier, or preventing such
land, building, etc., from becoming infested with rats or mice.
During the year all complaints concerning these pests have been
investigated.
In the majority of instances it has been found that the infestation
is due to faulty drains, the origin of the vermin being the sewers. In a
few cases complaints have arisen from small colonies of rats having
taken up their abode in gardens. The occupiers have always been
advised and assisted, and supplied with poison in suitable cases. In all
instances the rats have been got rid of.
Flooding in Kilburn.
Flooding recurred in Kilburn again during the year, and on this
occasion the Public Health Committee resolved to support a representation
by the Works Committee to the London County Council on the
subject. It was felt that work for the enlargement of the main
sewer might be most suitably undertaken by the County Council as a
means of providing work for the unemployed, apart from the urgency
of the general question of the prevention of flooding.
Sanitary Accommodation for Visitors to Hampstead Heath.
The great need for sanitary accommodation in the vicinity of the
summit of the Heath has not yet been met The matter was again