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105
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
Offensive Refuse.— Trade Refuse.—The bulk of the trade refuse produced in the Borough
is removed by the Council. Four complaints were received during the year with reference to
fishmongers' premises, all relating to the storage of offal or fish boxes. The premises were kept
under observation after the original complaints had been dealt with.
Manure.—The usual notices for the removal of manure on three days in each week were
posted in all the mews in the early days of the summer. Complaints of accumulations at four
mews received attention, it being sufficient to keep the premises under observation.
The manure nuisance in London is very nearly a vanishing quantity—a fact which from a
public health point of view is a great benefit. On the other hand, the supply of manure for
agricultural purposes is becoming very inadequate, and market gardening will suffer unless artificial
manures can be produced at low cost to efficiently replace horse manure. During the past
two years flies have been comparatively scarce in the Borough generally, but although recognising
that the smaller amounts of manure produced in the Borough mean fewer breeding places, it
cannot be stated with complete confidence that the freedom from flies is to be attributed to the
manure factor entirely. It requires a summer of the type of 1911 to demonstrate the full effect—
quâ fly nuisance—of the changed methods of traction.
House Refuse.—One collection of refuse each week is the rule in the Borough. The Medical
Officer of Health has a discretionary power to recommend more frequent removal (without extra
charge) should he consider it necessary. The increase in the number of flats and self-contained
maisonettes, in both of which cooking by gas is more common than by fire, creates a demand for
the removal of refuse at shorter intervals than the week. Proposals were submitted to the Public
Health Committee for instituting two collections a week throughout the Borough, either during
the whole year or during the months of June to September (both inclusive). It appeared from
estimates prepared by the Borough Surveyor that a second collection would increase the present
charges by some 50 per cent. In the end it was concluded that the discretionary power given
to the Medical Officer of Health rendered a general second collection unnecessary at the
present time.
Last year 106 complaints were received relating to the removal of house refuse, the complainants
alleging either irregularity or infrequency of removal. In 1912 the complaints numbered
112, and in 1911, 144. A second collection in each week was recommended by the Medical Officer
of Health at 69 houses last year, as compared with 59 in 1912 and 93 in 1911. A second
collection is made each week during the months of July-September at all houses in the "Clarendon
Street Area."
Trade Nuisances.—Only one complaint was received last year in connection with trade
premises, that relating to the escape of feathers from a bedding factory. No action beyond
interviewing the proprietor was necessary.
Rag and Bone Dealers.—There are 30 of these dealers in the Borough, 17 handling every
description of goods, 6 rags and metals, 4 second-hand clothes, 2 cat's meat, and 1 rabbit and
other skins. Seventy-five inspections were made of the premises where animal matters are
dealt in. The principal trouble is to secure regular removal from the small retail shop to the
wholesale premises. Special visits are made before Bank Holidays to secure clearances. Two
complaints with reference to these premises were received during the year.
By-laws for regulating the trade in rags, bones, &c., have been made by the County Council
and are awaiting confirmation by the Local Government Board.
Drainage Work.—Reconstruction of the drainage systems was carried out at 175 houses
during the past year, as compared with 223 in 1912 and 227 in 1911. In 1908 the number of
drains reconstructed was 605. The defective drains made watertight by patent process
numbered 73, as compared with 98 in 1912 and 50 in 1911. In contrast with the decreasing
p