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28
It is satisfactory to note that the improvements hoped for last
year in connection with the London Power Company's Generating
Station in St. Nicholas have been carried out, the Company having
been successful in inducing the Admiralty and the Royal Observatory
authorities to remove the embargo with regard to the height of
chimneys. In September a new chimney was erected to a height of
285 feet above ground level, and 2 additional boilers, making a total
of 16 connected thereto, which with the installation of gas washing
apparatus of modern type, should tend to a great extent to lessen
the number of complaints arising from this particular source.
The other chief offender, the London Passenger Transport
Board's Generating Station, East Greenwich, is still handicapped by
restrictions imposed by the Royal Observatory, but are taking
additional measures by gradually installing modern plant and
apparatus, to prevent the occurrence of smoke nuisance.
Sewer Emanations.—A large number of complaints were
received during the year of offensive odours emanating from the
London County Council sewers in various parts of the Borough.
These complaints were forwarded to the County Council, which
authority, it is understood, is conducting experiments as to the best
means of ventilating sewers. The problem, however, is very difficult
and so far no satisfactory solution has been found.
In connection with the subject of sewers, it is rather interesting
to note that a case of Weil's Disease (Spiroch. Ictero Hæmorrhagica)
in a sewer worker was reported from St. Alfege's Hospital in the
early autumn. Recent investigations tend to show that this disease
may occur comparatively frequently amongst workers in sewers. It
appears that in most cases the symptoms are mild and complicated
with slight jaundice, which together with slight pains throughout the
body, is often diagnosed as attacks of influenza. Infection takes
place through a cut or abrasion contaminated by slime from the
walls of sewers or from excreta of rats.
Scavenging and Refuse Disposal.—The collection of house,
etc., refuse in the Borough is under the control of the Borough
Surveyor, who has kindly supplied me with the following information
relating to the disposal of refuse.
The amount of refuse collected in the Borough during the year
ended 31st December, 1934, was approximately 20,300 tons, of which
16,232 tons were dealt with at the Council's Refuse Plant and the
remainder was disposed of by barging to the controlled tips under
contract.