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19
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Refuse Collection.
The collection of house and trade refuse is now being carried out in most districts of the borough
by using trailers drawn by motor lorries, and this system will be extended to include the whole of
the borough during the present year.
The council continue to collect refuse in the borough not less frequently than twice weekly.
The number of streets where a daily collection is made has been increased.
Since 1st April, 1934, no refuse has been disposed of at Yeading and Harefield, Middlesex;
66 79 per cent. is barged away at Chelsea wharf to a dump beyond Tilbury, Essex, and 33.21 per
cent. is disposed of at the destructor installation at Wood Lane depot.
The number of standardised dustbins sold during the year was 795, making a total of 4,019
since the council instituted the scheme of standardised dustbins in 1930.
The use of a number of dustholes and unsatisfactory refuse receptacles has been further
decreased, and the number of portable containers supplied to premises where large quantities of
refuse accumulate has been increased to 86.
Refuse Removal from Mewsways.
The number of portable containers substituted for common dustbins for the storage of house
refuse where there are dwellings, stables, and costermongers' stores, now totals 23, and these have
proved satisfactory.
Sewerage and Drainage.
Every house in the borough is connected with the water carriage system for the disposal of
sewage, and, generally speaking, house drainage in Kensington is very satisfactory.

Flooding.
On the afternoon of the 24th July there was a sudden heavy rain storm which lasted about
an hour. As it appeared probable that the sewers would not be able to carry away all the water
quickly enough to prevent flooding of basements, conferences were immediately arranged between
officers of the public health and borough engineer's departments, and when the storm ceased all
the available sanitary inspectors and health visitors were sent to various parts of the borough to
find out the extent of flooding and the need for relief measures. The Mayor (Alderman H. V.
Kenyon) at once authorised the expenditure of money from the Mayor's Fund in order that urgent
cases might be relieved without delay.
Flooding in the southern part of the borough occurred in the basements of 67 houses, but it
was not serious, and in many houses was caused by the choking of gullies with leaves or other
rubbish.
In North Kensington information was obtained that flooding had occurred in 106 houses, but
the damage to furniture and bedding was not considerable. Steps were taken at once to alleviate
distress by the provision of coal and mattresses, and arrangements were made for mattresses and
other bedding affected by the rainwater to be dried at the disinfecting station and the public baths.
Every possible assistance was given by the borough engineer's department; and as a result of the
Mayor's prompt offer of financial assistance, the sanitary inspectors and health visitors did not find
it necessary to seek help from the public assistance officer.