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19
SECTION C.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
In an increasing number of cases owners are finding house properties uneconomic
and, although the statutory procedure for the abatement of nuisances is fully
implemented—which fact is evidenced by the very considerable number of prosecutions
taken—the problem still remains to be solved. Houses which would have been
dealt with pre-war under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1936, cannot now be
considered as repairable at reasonable cost, and the provisions of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936, are fully implemented in an endeavour to maintain the houses
free from nuisance. Appropriate action has been taken under the Housing Act,
1936, in respect of certain properties, details of which are given under that heading.
Difficulty continued to be experienced in combating a persistent fly nuisance
at the Council's Refuse Depot at Ashburton Grove and experiments were carried
out with various insecticides over stated periods during the year. Owing to the
very nature of house and trade refuse respectively, it was found that considerable
numbers of larvae infested the loaded railway trucks, large numbers falling on to
the sidings to proceed into the pupae and fly stages. Whilst the adult fly can be
readily destroyed, it was considered that little, if any, effect was made on the flies
in the larvae or pupae stages. Discussions between representatives of the Railway
Executive, on whose land the depot is situated, and the Council were still proceeding
at the end of the year.
The position in respect of the Sanitary Inspectors engaged in the Department
improved during the year with the result that, for the first time for many years, the
number engaged was up to full establishment. In addition, the Ministry of Health
approved an increase in the establishment of Inspectors by four, making a total of
thirty including the Senior and Deputy Senior Sanitary Inspectors respectively.
The fact that there was no deficiency in the establishment assisted greatly in bringing
the work of the Inspectors up to date, and this coupled with the revised procedure
relative to the service of Notices, outlined in my previous report proved to be
invaluable to the work of the Department.
The residential properties in the Borough have deteriorated as a result of war
damage and the lack of repairs during and since the war, and this, coupled with the
fact that much of the property is more than seventy years old, renders the
maintenance of these houses in a reasonably habitable condition extremely difficult.
Owing to the acute housing situation it is not possible to re-house families on a
large scale and areas which would normally have been cleared still remain.
Nuisances continue to arise from the existence of bombed sites, static water
tanks and air-raid shelters, due to misuse. Where necessary, spraying with D.D.T.
solution was carried out to minimise the breeding of flies, mosquitos, etc. Thanks
are due to the London Fire Service for their co-operation and services in respect of
static water tanks. An arrangement with the Cleansing Superintendent whereby
putrescible and other obnoxious matter deposited on bombed and other sites is
removed, upon a request from the Sanitary Inspector, has worked satisfactorily
during the year. It may well be that the provisions of the War Damaged Sites Act,
1949, which received royal assent on 16th December, 1949, will, when implemented
have the very desirable effect of " tidying up " these areas,