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23
SECTION C
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE AREA.
During the year under review, the position relative to the maintenance of
domestic property continued to cause concern, and more owners found houses
uneconomic. In certain cases notices served under the Public Health (London) Act,
1936, were not complied with although abatement orders had been obtained and,
in some instances, the owners were proceeded against for non-compliance with such
orders. It then became necessary for the Council to implement Housing Act
procedure, resulting in the demolition or closing of the whole or part of the houses
concerned. In some cases the owners undertook not to re-let until the part concerned
or the whole house was made fit for human habitation. Whilst this procedure
involved the re-housing of the existing tenants, it did preserve housing accommodation.
In other cases, in order to obviate hardship being caused to the occupants, the
Council carried out work of an urgent nature although the prospects of being
reimbursed were remote.
In one case where the basement of a shop owned by the Council was found to
be used as a bakehouse contrary to Section 54 of the Factories Act, 1937, legal
proceedings were instituted. Upon receipt of an undertaking to transfer the bakehouse
to the ground floor, the case was adjourned by the Magistrate until January, 1952.
In another case where a notice had been served under Section 54 of the Factories
Act, 1937, specifying that the existing certificate of suitability would cease on a
certain date, an appeal was lodged and the Magistrate adjourned the case sine die.
The Council during the year approved the purchase of a number of Elsan
closets which could be loaned to householders, in approved cases, where drainage
work was being carried out which necessitated the system being out of action for
some time. This scheme proved beneficial in many instances.
By virtue of Defence Regulation 62 (B), which came into force in 1940, the
provisions of Section 119 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, relative to the
keeping of swine in any premises within 40 yards of a street or public place, were
suspended. On the 1st July, 1951, the Defence Regulations (No.1) Order, which
revoked Defence Regulation 62 (B) in so far as it concerned England and Wales,
became operative ; thus the situation reverted to that which prevailed pre-war.
Section 12 of the Allotments Act, 1950, however, makes a similar provision in respect
of hens or rabbits which can still be kept otherwise than by way of trade or business
in any place or land, provided no nuisance is caused and they are not kept in such
a manner as to be prejudicial to health.
The Pet Animals Act, 1951, which was passed during this year, but which
comes into force on the 1st April, 1952, provides for the annual licensing of all
pet shops.
The Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951, which came into force
on the 1st November, repealed the Rag Flock Acts, 1911 and 1928, and Section 136
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. This important Act requires, inter alia,
the registration of premises where filling materials are used, and the licensing of
premises where Rag Flock is manufactured or kept.