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(1) Complaints from or on behalf of the occupier.—The District
Sanitary Inspector makes inspection and an intimation is sent to the
owner specifying the defects and nature of nuisance found. Where
necessary, the circumstances are reported to the Public Health
Committee for authority to serve a Statutory Notice to enforce
abatement of the nuisance. The premises are re-inspected by the
Sanitary Inspector and, if work required is not executed within a
reasonable period, Statutory Notice is served. In cases of noncompliance
the Town Clerk is instructed to institute proceedings.
(2) Sanitary defects due to depreciation of property.—Depreciation
of property usually occurs as a result of the owner's inability to
carry out repairs during the war period. A Notice is served on
the owner by the Sanitary Inspector, and where expenditure exceeds
£100 it is necessary for a licence to be obtained before the work is
allowed to proceed.
(3) Housing defects.—These are cases where the conditions
are such that they cannot be remedied under the procedure of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and are dealt with under the
Housing Act, 1936, as being houses unfit for human habitation.
Representations are made to the Public Health Committee to
consider as to whether such houses can be repaired at a reasonable
cost having regard to the value of the premises, or whether Closing
and Demolition Orders should be made.
Disinfestation Scheme—Anti-Fly and Anti-Mosquito
Measures.—The Anti-fly and Anti-mosquito Scheme instituted in
1947 was continued during the summer period of the year under
review with very satisfactory results.
At the inception of the scheme it was realised that the main
factors to be controlled included house refuse, static water sites,
ponds, ditches, cafes and food shops etc., and in general, the problems
during 1949 remained the same.
As previously, the methods of control included spraying with
D.D.T., the dusting of ' Gammexane ' powder and in certain instances
the use of ' Malariol.'
Again with the Borough Engineer's co-operation the dustmen
were instructed to treat dustbins with ' Gammexane ' powder after
emptying and the dust vans themselves were sprayed with D.D.T.
in kerosene at the Council's Depots.
Prior to 1948 the collection of refuse-laden barges off the foreshore
at Blackwall Point had usually been a source of annoyance
but now this nuisance has been almost entirely eliminated by the
subjection of the refuse to treatment before barging by the Authorities
using this method of disposal.