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The frontage drains of 15 premises were constructed or reconstructed.
In 3 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, the cost being recoverable from
the respective owners.
No legal proceed0ings for offences against the Drainage By-laws
w ere taken. Under the provisions of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1951, which came into operation on the
1st August, 1951, appeals against acts and decisions of sanitary authorities
in regard to drainage and water closets, which formerly had to be
made to the London County Council, now have to be made to a court
of summary jurisdiction. No such appeal was made during the year.
Combined Drainage.
Claims were made by the owners of two blocks of houses drained
by combined operations that the combined portions of the drainage
systems were " sewers " repairable by the Council. In both cases the
claim was admitted and the necessary repairs to the combined drains
w ere carried out by the Council.
Smoke Nuisances.
During the year a small 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.
The most serious and persistent source of dust and grit emissions
has again been a large gas works. This has been referred to in previous
Annual Reports and is due principally to the operation of plant of an
obsolete type, replacement of which does not seem likely to take place
for a number of years.
Apart from this instance, the complaints related to emissions from
Va rious industrial plants. On investigation, they were found to be due
to some transient cause such as the use of unsuitable fuel, or temporary
breakdown of some part of the plant. In one case intimation notice
was served, on which the nuisance was abated, and no further action
was found necessary.
The total number of observations made was 206.
Effluvium Nuisances.
A small number of complaints alleging nuisance from effluvia
e mitted from various industrial and business premises were received.
In one case, a fried fish shop which was not provided with proper
means to carry off the fumes arising from the frying ranges, legal
Proceedings had to be taken. The summons was, however, adjourned
sin e die on the proprietor's undertaking to abate the nuisance, and
no further action was found necessary.
The remaining cases were all of a minor nature and were successfully
dealt with by informal action.
Offensive Trades.
There are two premises in the Borough at which scheduled offensive
trades are carried on. These businesses have been established
for many years and are satisfactorily conducted.