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develop in the electric light wiring resulting in the passage of electricity through
the structure of the building; the current had set up electrolysis and subsequent
rusting in the gas pipes making a large hole through which of course gas escaped.
The gas supply was cut off for a time, and when the dampness abated, the wiring
was made good. When tested later, there was no leakage of gas or electricity.
Demolition of Old Buildings.
The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, gave power to that
Council to make by-laws in relation to the demolition of old buildings.
By-laws dealing with the subject were made by the London County Council in
July, 1929, and were approved by the Ministry of Health on the 14th November
last year. These by-laws are enforceable by the Metropolitan Borough Councils,
and pursuant to Section 53 (v) of the before-mentioned Act, they do not apply
to any building (not being a dwelling-house) belonging to any railway company
and used by such company as a part of, or in connection with, its railway.
Prior to the coming into force of such by-laws suggestions for the prevention
of nuisance arising from the demolition of buildings had been prepared for use in
the Borough, and copies of these suggestions were forwarded as a matter of routine
to contractors about to carry out demolitions. Since the by-laws came into
operation, the routine procedure has been followed, a copy of the by-laws being
substituted for the " suggestions " previously in use. Fourteen contractors were
communicated with during last year. Some difficulty was experienced by them in
effectively preventing nuisance owing to the shortage of water due to the
abnormally dry summer.
Children's Country Holidays.
In connection with the arrangements made by the Children's Country Holiday
Fund, and the Fresh Air Fund, for sending children away for country holidays, we
receive and answer many enquiries during the summer months relative to the
existence of infectious diseases in the houses from which the children are drawn.
This routine co-operation between the local authority and the organisations concerned
helps to ensure that children who have been directly exposed to infection
shall not be sent away until danger of the development of disease in the contact
child is past.
Propaganda.
The propaganda work reported on in 1928 has been continued; a new feature
will shortly be introduced. In the early part of the year 1930 the Council approved
the production of a one reel film depicting their work in connection with the Schick
test and immunisation against diphtheria. It is expected that the film will be
available for exhibition by October, 1930.