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26
On the 30th July, 1949, the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act,
1949, received Royal Assent. This Act repeals, and re-enacts with
many alterations and additions, the provisions of the Rats and Mice
(Destruction) Act, 1919. It does not, however, come into operation
until the 31st March, 1950.
Vacant Sites, Static Water Tanks, etc.
Complaints continued to be made of nuisances caused by the
dumping of rubbish in disused static water tanks, and on cleared
sites and in derelict buildings, and by the accumulation of stagnant
rainwater in static water tanks. In many cases, the rubbish consisted
merely of builder's material, scrap metal, etc., which, although
unsightly, could not be said to be a danger to health. In certain
instances, however, dead animals, vegetable refuse, old bedding, and
other material of a putrescible nature were found. It appears that
the primary responsibility for abating any nuisance so caused rests
upon the owner of the site, but in view of the difficulty and delay
which would have arisen from any attempt to enforce this responsibility,
the Council themselves undertook the removal of any such material
causing or likely to cause danger to health, a special provision of
£100 having been made for this purpose. In five cases where
nuisance was being caused by water accumulating in static water tanks,
however, the owners of the site were communicated with and requested
to take steps to abate the nuisance and prevent its recurrence. As,
however, it appears that the owners are entitled to compensation,
under Section 2 (1) (b) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939,
further action was deferred to enable them to settle this matter. The
negotiations had not been concluded by the end of the year.
Burial of Deceased Persons.
Under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, the
Council are responsible for the burial or cremation of the body of
any person dying or being found dead in the Borough, and have
power to recover from the estate of the deceased person, or from
any person who, under the Act, was liable to maintain the deceased
immediately prior to his death, their expenses incurred in carrying out
the duty, in so far as these expenses are not covered by any grant
made under the National Insurance Act, 1946.

Only 9 of these persons were residents of Battersea.
The number of cases falling to be dealt with by the Council
would have been greater but for the fact that the Ministry of Health,
in Circular 13/49, dated 1st March, 1949, requested Hospital Committees
and Boards themselves to arrange for the burials of persons
dying in their Hospitals in cases where there was no "liable" relative.