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89
Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restriction) Acts, 1920 and 1923.
One application was received during the year for a certificate under the above
Acts. On inspection the condition of the house was found to justify the issue
of a certificate.
Nuisances Caused by Dogs.
With a view to the prevention of nuisances from the fouling of footways by
dogs the Council, in the year 1926, made the following By-law: —
" No person being in charge of a dog in any street or public place and
having the dog on a lead shall allow or permit such dog to deposit its
" excrement upon the public footway."
The By-law after being in force for an experimental period until 1st June,
1928, was made permanent; it is administered by the Borough Engineer's
Department.
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.
The arrangements made in the previous year were continued under which two
members of the Health Department staff endeavour to trap the birds. Successful
operations were carried out by them on various occasions at four different sites
frequented by pigeons and, in all, 379 birds were caught. This number included
74 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 not desired to destroy all wild pigeons
in Central London, but it is 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.