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39
Smoke Control.—During 1931, 23 trade premises were kept under observation for the
detection of smoke emitted so as to be a nuisance. These premises were watched on 197
occasions, occupying 61J hours.
Smoke of all descriptions was noted during 35 hours, the duration of " black " smoke
being only 51 minutes.
Thirteen complaints relating to the emission of smoke were receive d during the year.
One Written Intimation was served together with numerous informal communications.
No Statutory Notices were served.
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 or
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. Active assistance
is given by the police, the Home Secretary having intimated in June, 1928, as a result of
representations from the Council, that the police had been instructed to report to the Council
such offences against the bye-law as come to their notice in the course of their ordinary duties.
During 1931 three prosecutions were instituted, resulting in two defendants being fined the
sum of ten shillings each and the other five shillings.
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, now the Grand Union Canal. The Medical Officer of Health is the Examining
Officer for the purpose of the Regulations.
Mr. C. S. Wansbrough acted as Canal Boats' Inspector during the year.
The following report for the year 1931 was made to the Council by the Medical Officer oi
Health, and was adopted by the Council as their statutory report to the Minister of Health
as required by the Canal Boats Act, 1884.