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21
Drainage Work.
The by-laws made by the London County Council under the
Metropolis Management Acts with regard to drainage, and also those
under the Public Health (London) Act relating to water-closets, etc.,
are enforced by the Council.
During the year new drains were constructed to 93 new buildings,
and the drains of 34 old buildings were partially or entirely reconstructed
under the supervision of the Officers of the Health Department.
107 plans of proposed drainage work were deposited in 1950,
as compared with 102 in 1949.
During the year drains were tested by smoke on 120 occasions,
and 61 were found defective. The water test was applied on 703
occasions, this being mainly to drains in course of construction.
The frontage drains of 8 premises were constructed or reconstructed.
In 11 cases, the Council carried out drainage works in default
of compliance by the owners with the requirements of notices served
under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. In two of these cases,
legal proceedings to recover the cost incurred had to be taken. In
one case, judgment for the amount was obtained. In the other, the
summons was withdrawn, the amount claimed having been paid before
the date of the hearing.
Legal proceedings for offences against the Drainage By-laws were
also taken as under : —
(a) For failing to give notice of commencement of drainage
work—Two cases, in both of which convictions were obtained,
fines totalling £2 10s. being imposed and £4 4s. costs
awarded to the Council.
(b) For carrying out work contrary to the requirements of the
by-laws—One case, the summons being withdrawn as the
work had been satisfactorily altered before the date of the
hearing.
(c) For failing to deposit plans of proposed drainage work —
Three cases. In one, a fine of £2 was imposed. In the
other two, the summonses were withdrawn, as satisfactory
plans were deposited before the date of the hearing.
Combined Drainage.
A claim was made by the owners of a block of houses drained
by a combined operation that the combined portion of the drainage
system was a " sewer" repairable by the Council. The claim was
repudiated, and the necessary work to the drain was subsequently
carried out by the owners at their own expense.
Smoke Nuisances.
During the year a number of complaints were made, alleging
nuisances from smoke, dust, grit, etc., emitted from premises occupied
by various industrial and public utility undertakings in the Borough.
All such complaints were carefully investigated.