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46
Pigeon Nuisance.—A local authority is enabled by Section
121 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, to deal with a nuisance
arising from the congregation of pigeons believed to be ownerless
and it has been the practice of this Council to authorise a pigeoncatcher
to deal with pigeons on the highway and other public
places.
Whilst there can be no objection to the feeding of a limited
number of pigeons in any particular area, it is noticeable that,
persons who are so inclined, make available supplies of food of such
proportions that birds lose their natural feeding habits and tend to
congregate in the vicinity of the source of their sustenance to the
detriment of the surrounding property.
It is to be regretted that in some instances the pigeon-catcher's
work has been interrupted and even curtailed by the action of wellmeaning
residents who, feeling that his methods of pigeon disposal
are not all that may be desired, have consulted a representative of
the R.S.P.C.A.
During the year some eight complaints were received, including
one petition, and arrangements were made to reduce the pigeons to
a reasonable number.
River Pollution.—Works being carried out by the London
County Council at their Northern and Southern outfalls with the
intention of improving the sewage effluent discharged into the river
would appear already to have had a beneficial effect—there was only
one complaint received during the current year regarding smells
emanating from the river.
Atmospheric Pollution.—Clean Air Act, 1956.—Provisions
relating to the installation of new furnaces, smoke control areas,
height of chimneys, research and publicity came into operation on
31st December, 1956, the remaining provisions are due to come into
force on 1st June, 1958.
With a view to implementing Section 11 of the above-mentioned
Act, several preliminary surveys were made during the latter part
of the year in order that a zone suitable as a smoke control area
could be selected.