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90
Nuisance from Pigeons.
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927.
During the year several requests were received for steps to be taken to reduce
the number of pigeons frequenting the precincts of buildings in the Borough.
Owing to the difficulties met with in trapping pigeons in Central London, the
contractors previously employed declined to continue the work. To meet the
position trapping nets were obtained and arrangements were made for two members
of the Health Department staff to trap the birds. Successful operations were
earned out by them on various occasions at three different sites frequented by
pigeons and, in all, 458 birds were caught. This number included 117 birds caught
in Lincoln's Inn Fields. It must, however, be recorded, that on many occasions in
Lincoln's Inn Fields, even after several hours work, no birds were caught. In
open spaces such as this pigeon trappers are handicapped by members of the public
who regularly feed the birds and who endeavour to prevent the effective use of the
trapping nets. It is, of course, not desired to destroy all wild pigeons in Central
London, but it is highly desirable that the number should be kept within reasonable
limits.
Nuisance from an excessive number of starlings threatens to become little less
than that from pigeons, but the statutory powers given to London to deal with
pigeons does not extend to starlings.
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 Minister of Health on the 14th November,
1929. These By-laws are enforceable by the Metropolitan Borough Councils.
We are informed by the Borough Engineer's Department of licences issued
for the erection of hoardings for the purpose of the demolition of buildings, and
the sites are then visited by the Sanitary Inspectors concerned.
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 passed.
Propaganda.
The propaganda work reported on in previous years has been continued.
In addition the Council took over one of the disused Empire Marketing Board
frames for use for health propaganda purposes.