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(38)
In accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries and with the co-operation of the Borough Engineer and
Surveyor's Department, two treatments of the public sewers were carried
out during the year.
Assessed results of these treatments and comparison with those of
the last two years indicate that the rat population of the sewers is not
increasing but is being held In chock, and this fact coupled with the
continued discovery and repair of defective outlet drains has resulted
in a reduction of surface infestations.
FACTORIES ACT, 1937.
Most of the larger factories are grouped along the extensive river
frontage of the Borough and usually have residential premises only the
width of the roadway from their external walls. Regular inspections of
both mechanical and non-mechanical factories have been carried out,
during the course of which emissions from factory shafts, airborne deposited
impurities, and noises and smells which may cause a nuisance to
people living in the vicinity have received attention.
Where smoke emissions are concerned, consideration is given to the
density and colour of the smoke and the length of time of the emanations
. VThere it is considered that a nuisance is taking place an
mediate inspection of the factory is made and the attention of the
management is drawn both to the danger to health and to the waste of
fuel. Visits are paid to the boiler rooms aixi the methods of stoking
are checked.
To control nuisances from *airborne deposited impuritiesn (otherwise
"grit") very careful observations are regularly made,petrie dishes
being placed at strategic points in the Borough to collect any deposits.
These actions make it possible both to track down the likely
source of any particular nuisance and also to draw comparisons as between
one part of the Borough and another. Deposits are heavier in the
isst Division, particularly in Sands End (North, East and South), where
most of the industries involving extensive use of coal and coke and
other dusty materials are situated. In the West Division the deposits are
heaviest in Margravine West Ward, conditions improving as one
passes through Munster Ward to Town Ward. It can be said, however, that
whilst appreciating that the presence of dust and other airborne de -
posits to same extent is almost inevitable in any industrial area, the
regular and close watch which is being kept in Fulham is resulting in
markad improvements.