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Mortuary.—Six hundred and eight (608) bodies were deposited at the Mortuary, inquests being
held on 443 of that number. Bodies deposited pending burial (all non-infectious) numbered 21.
Three hundred and seventy-two (372) post-mortom examinations were made.
Trade Nuisances.—Twelve (12) complaints were received during the year, those relating to
manure numbering 3.
Removal of Manure.—Section 36 (2) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, empowers the local
authority to give notice requiring the periodical removal of manure from stables, etc. With a view
to the prevention of an increase in flies as well as other nuisances arising from accumulation of manure,
it has been the practice of the Council for some years past to require stable refuse to be removed twice
weekly during the months of May to September, public notice of such requirement being given by
means of posters displayed in the various Mews in the Borough. Very little difficulty is experienced
in securing compliance with the notice.
Rag and Bone Dealers.—In December, 1935, there were 14 rag and bone dealers in the Borough.
Smoke Control.—During 1935, 9 trade premises were kept under observation for the detection
of smoke emitted so as to be a nuisance. These premises were watched on 26 occasions, occupying
15 hours.
Smoke of all descriptions was noted during 5½ hours, the duration of "black" smoke being only
13 minutes.
Eight complaints relating to the emission of smoke were received during the year.
Sewer Emanations.—Complaints of nuisance caused by emanations of sewer gas from road gratings,
more particularly in the northern parts of the Borough, received the attention of the Public
Health Committee and the Works Committee, and, on their representations, the London County
Council made experiments with a view to minimising the nuisance.
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 1st 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 1935 ten prosecutions
were instituted, fines ranging from 7s. 6d. to 10s. being imposed.
The publicity which has been given to the bye-law has had good effect in causing many dogowners
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 17th May, 1878, the Paddington
Borough Council is one of the Registration Authorities for the Regents and Grand Junction Canals,
now the Grand Union Canal. The Medical Officer of Health is the Examining Officer for the purposes
of the Regulations.
Mr. V. L. Ronchetti acted as Canal Boats Inspector during the year.
The following report for the year 1935 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.
Ninety-three (93) canal boats were inspected during the year, the following infringements
of the Acts and Regulations being discovered:—