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110
Use of Vita Glass.
Opportunity has been taken during the year to call attention to the desirability
of the use of Vita glass. This glass lets actinic rays through, and its use in place
of ordinary window glass is much to be desired where possible.
Vita glass can be obtained at about the same cost as plate glass.
Cab Shelter.
Complaints were received respecting bad smells in the neighbourhood of a
cabmen's shelter in the Borough. On inspection it was found that the shelter was
kept in a very clean condition and no nuisance appeared to arise therefrom. On
enquiry, however, it was discovered that liquid refuse was emptied down a large,
old type street gulley situated about thirty feet away from the shelter; the
nuisance complained of apparently was caused by the occasional foul state of such
gulley resulting from its use for this purpose.
In consultation with the Borough Surveyor arrangements were made, as a
special concession, for a sink to be provided connected by a waste pipe to the drain
of the street gulley. Subsequently the old gulley was replaced by one of modern
type. In this way it is hoped that any further nuisance will be obviated.
Demolition of Old Buildings.
From time to time nuisances occur from dust arising from the demolition of
old buildings.
During the year a communication was received from the Metropolitan
Boroughs Standing Joint Committee respecting a request to the London County
Council to make provision, by a General Powers Bill, for powers of control to be
administered by and at the discretion of the Borough Councils for the prevention
of such dust nuisances.
As long ago as the year 1915 the Holborn Council asked the Local Government
Board for sanction to the making of a by-law to control the demolition of old
buildings with a view to the prevention of nuisance from dust. The Board,
however, was unable to assent to the proposal and suggested that proceedings
should be taken for the abatement of any such nuisance under Section 2 of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1891. Subsequently proceedings were so taken in
the Police Court, the summons being dismissed on the ground that the nuisance
did not arise within Section 2 of the before-mentioned Act. The Council,
therefore, adopted a resolution in favour of the proposed provision, by a General
Powers Bill, of powers of control for the prevention of this nuisance.
In the meantime a series of suggestions for the prevention of such nuisances
has been prepared and a copy is being forwarded to contractors proposing to
commence demolition in the Borough. It is hoped that contractors will respond
to these suggestions and in this way the prevention of nuisance will be effected.
The following is a copy of the suggestions referred to: —
1. Provide and fix proper fans at first floor level and other floors if necessary.
2. Board up window openings from which sashes and glass have been removed.