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32
Canal Boats.
The Kensington borough council are vested with authority to enforce the legislation in respect
of all canal boats entering the portion of the Grand Junction canal which is within the boundaries
of the borough.
During 1938, three inspections were made and it was not found necessary to serve any notices
in respect of the sanitary condition of the boats.
No births or deaths occurred on boats whilst lying at the wharves in Kensington, and no cases
of infectious disease were reported.
Removal of Aged, Infirm or Physically Incapacitated Persons.
In accordance with the powers conferred on them by Section 224 of the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936, the borough council can make application to the Court for an order to remove to a
hospital, infirmary, institution or other similar place, aged, infirm or physically incapacitated
persons living under insanitary conditions.
It is provided that the Court may make an Order for a period not exceeding three months,
and for such further periods not exceeding three months as may be determined by further Orders.
During the past year, no fewer than 18 complaints in respect of old and infirm persons were
- reported to the public health department. Each of these was visited by one of the council's medical
officers, necessitating a total of 25 visits.
In 10 instances the person concerned eventually yielded to persuasion and entered hospital
voluntarily for proper care and treatment. In 2 cases, while application to the Court for removal
was pending, the patients died, having refused all offers of hospital treatment. In 3 cases no action
was taken, one woman being considered fit to look after herself, and in the other two satisfactory
arrangements were made for their care by relatives.
The remaining 3 cases were all old women who were found to be verminous and suffering from
some chronic disease. In each case an Order was obtained for removal to St. Mary Abbots hospital
(institution).

The number of complaints received was about the same as in the previous year and, for the most
part, investigation did not reveal serious infestation. Fewer poison baits were laid during the year,
for it was decided to give a trial to the use of cardboard on which is spread an exceedingly sticky
substance which acts as a trap. The results obtained were successful.
As in previous years, National Rat Week was held in November, and various methods of
rat destruction were carried out throughout the borough. There was intensive baiting of the borough
council's sewers and arrangements were made with railway companies whose lines run through the
borough for special measures to be taken by them.
Nuisances from Pigeons.
Section 121 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, provides that for the purpose of abating
any nuisance caused by pigeons, the council may seize and destroy those in excess of such number
as may be considered reasonable. It is necessary, however, in the first place for the council to
obtain consent to the measures adopted by them from owners of any land on which it is proposed
to catch and destroy the birds. The number trapped during last vear was 121.
1 he activities of the council have undoubtedly secured a reduction of the number in the borough.
By the end of 1937, all church towers in the borough found to be used by pigeons as roosting places
had been wired up. During the past year, additional traps were bought and installed in various places.