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32
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
During the year 36 complaints have been received, investigated
and dealt with. In every case where the complaint has been well founded,
old drains have been sought for, and poisons laid down; while once
a year more general tactics are adopted by way of laying poisons in
certain places, particularly the sewers.
New Public Health Station.
The provision of such a Station as this is still one of the most
pressing needs of the Borough.
The site in the yard of the Electric Lighting Station, Lithos
Road, and plans for a building to comprise the whole health facilities
of the Borough have been approved. The project has been delayed on
account of a difficulty in connection with the site.
Railway Companies and Sanitary Control.
During the year the question of the control of sanitary works on
railway companies' property was again raised. Both the Hampstead
Junction and Metropolitan Railways were found to have recently
carried out considerable drainage work at Stations in the Borough
without giving notice and without depositing plans and particulars, and
the work was found to have been done in such a manner as to contravene
the by-laws. During the litigation in 1924 with the London,
Midland and Scottish Railway with regard to sanitary works at the
stations on that line it was made clear that any exemption from the
by-laws applied only to the main lines. The question, however, assumed
a new importance on account of the Metropolitan Railway deciding to
construct a new line within the boundaries of the Borough of Hampstead.
The matter was reported to the Public Health Committee, who
recommended that proceedings be taken against the London, Midland
and Scottish (Ilampstead Junction) and the Metropolitan Railway
Companies for failure to comply with the by-laws. The matter was
referred to the General Purposes Committee, and upon their recommendation
the Council on 25th November decided to take proceedings
against the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company in respect
of drainage work carried out at Hampstead Heath Station.
Subsequently the London, Midland and Scottish Railway made a
deposit of the necessary plans and also undertook to comply with the
by-laws; no proceedings, therefore, were taken against the Company.
Proceedings, which will be heard in 1927, were then instituted