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21
By-laws as to Houses let in Lodgings.
At the end of the year 515 houses were registered under these By-laws. Of
these, 235 are in St. Giles nnd Bloomsbury and 280 in the Holbom District.
There were 784 inspections of these premises, excluding a very large number
of periodical inspections and re-inspections. 235 notices were served for breaches
of the By-laws, exclusive of 515 notices that were served for annual cleansing as
required by the By-laws.
Chain versus Cord Sash-lines.
A frequently recurring; trouble in connection with tenement houses is the broken sash-line.
In this connection representations have been put forward that the substitution of chain lines
in jilace of cord lines for sashes would be an advantage. As a result of enquiries made
in the matter, it would seem that the general opinion of builders is in favour of the retention
of cord lines, except perhaps for very heavy windows. The objections raised to the chains
are (i) the cost—several times that of cord, without a correspondingly greater length of
life, (ii) oxidation of metal chains, especially if not kept oiled, (iii) noise, and (iv) the
neoessity for special pullies.
The usual causes of short life in a sash cord are (i) poor quality cord, (ii) pulley not
running freely or defective and cutting cord, (iii) nail fixing bead projecting into the frame
and cutting cord. If good quality cord is used, pullies kept in good order: and beads fitted
with screws instead of nails, sash-lines should give a minimum of trouble. It has been found
wise to advise owners of tenement houses to renew both sash-cords when one breaks and
perhaps even all four cords to the window. One builder, who has a contract in the Borough
to maintain windows and sash-cords in a number of boarding houses, states that he always
substitutes cords for broken chains.
Rag and Bone Dealers.
During the year additional By-laws were made by the London County Council
under Section 9 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1908, for
regulating the conduct within the County of London (exclusive of the City of
London) of the business of a rag and bone dealer and with respect to the premises
in. or upon which such business is carried on. These By-laws prohibit the sale
or distribution by any person carrying on the business of a rag and bone dealer
of any articlei of food or any balloon or toy, in or from any part of the premises
used for or in connection with the business, or from any cart, barrow or other
vehicle or receptacle used for the collectionl or disposal of rags, bones, fat, rabbit
skins or other like article, or in any other way in connection with such business.
The By-laws arc supplemental to those made by the London County Council in
1923 respecting the same business. A copy of the new By-laws was sent to each
rag and bone dealer in the Borough. No breach of the By-law was discovered
during the year.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
During the year 263 premises were inspected under the above Act, the total
inspections being 376. Four notices for breaches of the Act were served. As a
result, in all cases the rat runs were sealed up, in two cases old brick ashbins
were abolished and sanitary bins substituted, and in two cases the cellars were
paved.