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RENT AND MORTGAGE INTEREST (RESTRICTIONS) ACTS.—Applications for disrepair certificates numbered 16,
all of which were granted. Three clearance certificates were also applied for and issued to owners.
DRAINAGE RECONSTRUCTION PLANS.—During the year 163 plans were submitted for drainage work to be executed
in existing buildings. 48 contraventions of the London County Council's Drainage Byelaws came to light, but in
three cases only was it necessary to institute legal proceedings ; in two instances a fine of £1 with £1 Is. Od. costs
was imposed. In the remaining case the summons was withdrawn, the work having been made to conform with
the Byelaws.
VACANT SITES.—Bombed sites and the sites of static water tanks continue to be the source of many complaints.
The creation of a byelaw making a punishable offence the dumping of rubbish on these sites may possibly act as a
deterrent, but the only sure prevention of nuisance would appear to be the provision of adequate fencing. Meanwhile
the Council arrange for the removal of offensive refuse, and spraying of the sites with insecticide to prevent breeding
of flies or mosquitos.
CANAL BOATS.—The Canal Boats Inspector visited the Paddington Basin on 107 occasions, and inspected 84 boats
No serious defects or infringements were discovered, the minor matters requiring attention being disposed of without
recourse to the service of notices. Four girls and seven boys of school age were found to be living on the boats coming
into the Basin. There were no deaths or cases of infectious disease among the canal boat population.
A large number of Canal Boats are now in the ownership of the Inland Waterways Executive. It is pleasant to
record that any contraventions of the Canal Boat Regulations which have been informally brought to their notice,
have been remedied without question.
PHARMACY AND POISONS ACT, 1933, etc.—At the end of the year the Register contained the names of 97 persons
entitled to sell the poisons scheduled in Part II of the Poisons List.
BAKEHOUSES.—The number of bakehouses in the Borough remained at 40 (15 level and 25 underground). 91
visits were made.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES.—43 visits were made by a Lady Sanitary Inspector to Cecil House, 179 Harrow Road.
Periodical visits were also paid by a Male Sanitary Inspector to examine the boilers and fire escape arrangements.
RODENT CONTROL.—The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries now make a consolidated grant of 50 per cent, of the
approved net expenditure on the cost of rodent control upon certain conditions, chief of which are maintenance of an
organisation adequate for effective rodent control, and complying with the Ministry's requirements on the methods
to be employed.
We have 4 Rodent Operatives, working under the control of a Rodent Officer, a senior Sanitary Inspector being
generally in charge. The services of two Disinfectors are also utilised at times of pressure, and we have also found it
necessary to borrow the services of two employees from the Paving Department at times, to assist in the block control
schemes undertaken.
The methods adopted, and which meet with the Ministry's approval, are
(a) dealing with individual complaints ;
(b) putting block systems in operation where several individual complaints suggest the possibility of a minor
infestation ;
(c) treatment of the sewers every six months in co-operation with the Sewers Department.
(d) treatment of refuse dumps, and vacant sites where observations indicate likelihood of rats.
Three hundred and ninety four complaints were received and dealt with ; the sewers were treated in January
and July ; and several block schemes were carried out, mostly with satisfactory results. Admittedly there are one or
two difficult areas in the Borough, but no effort is spared to keep the rat population down to a minimum. A word
of thanks is due to the Rodent Officer and his men who have tackled their work with enthusiasm.