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Mortuary.—Three hundred and thirty-one (331) bodies were deposited at the Mortuary,
inquests being held on 177 of that number. Bodies deposited pending burial (all non-infectious)
numbered 154.
Trade Nuisances.—Seventeen complaints were received during the year, those relating to
manure numbering 11.
Rag and Bone Dealers.—In December, 1927, there were 14 rag and bone dealers in the
Borough.
Smoke Control.—During 1927 23 trade premises were kept under observation for the
detection of black smoke. These premises were watched on 378 occasions, occupying 172½
hours.
Smoke of all descriptions was noted during 75¾ hours, the duration of "black" smoke
being only 4¾ hours.
Eighteen complaints relating to the emission of smoke were received during the year.
No Statutory Notices were served, but numerous informal communications were made.
FOULING OF PUBLIC FOOTWAYS BY DOGS.
The following bye-law was made by the Council on the 29th July, 1924, for the good rule
and government of the Borough:—
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.
Any person offending against this bye-law shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding
40 shillings.
This bye-law shall cease to be in force after the first day of August, 1926, unless a
bye-law confirming and continuing its provisions has been duly made and come into force
before that date.
In July, 1926, the bye-law was adopted permanently by the Council.
This bye-law is enforced by the Medical Officer of Health and his staff. During 1927 no
prosecutions were instituted, but numerous verbal warnings to offenders were given. The
publicity which has been given to the bye-law has had good effect in causing many dog-owners
to be more careful. One minor difficulty in enforcing the bye-law is that an offender cannot
be compelled to divulge his identity, and cannot be given in charge as the police do not enforce
the bye-law.
Notices concerning the bye-law were frequently posted on shingle-bins throughout the
Borough.
CANAL BOATS ACTS, 1877 and 1884.
By virtue of the Local Government Board Regulations of May 17th, 1878, the Paddington
Borough Council is one of the Registration Authorities for the Regent's and Grand Junction
Canals. The Medical Officer of Health is the Examining Officer for the purpose of the
Regulations.
For the first three months of the year Mr. E. J. Potter was Canal Boats' Inspector and for
the remaining nine months Mr. C. S. Wansbrough.
The following report for the year 1927 was made to the Council by the Medical Officer of
Health, and was adopted by the Council as their statutory report to the Minister of Health
as required by the Canal Boats Act, 1884.