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Of the total of plans submitted, 3 were not approved, as the work
proposed did not comply with the by-laws. In 6, the proposals were
withdrawn.
Combined drainage orders were made in 25 cases.
Infringements of the by-laws were reported to the Public Health
Committee in 24 instances in respect of failure to give notice of
intention to construct or to deposit plans. Nineteen builders were
cautioned and four were summoned in respect of these offences and
were convicted, fines and costs amounting to £9 1s. A prosecution was
ordered in another case, but could not be proceeded with as the builder
concerned could not be found.
Smoke Abatement.—A conference organised by the Smoke Abatement
Society was held at the Guildhall in November. Delegates from authorities
in London and Greater London, together with representatives from
industrial undertakings and other bodies representing commerce, attended.
The Council's delegates were Councillor Mrs. Home and the Medical Officer
of Health.
A general committee of representatives from various bodies was set
up to consider and report on the following heads of reference:—
"(1) The possibility of effecting a standardisation of procedure of the
efficient observation of smoke emission.
(2) The by-laws that might reasonably be made under the provisions of the
Public Health (Smoke Abatement) Act, 1926.
(3) The permissible smoke emission periods.
(4) The type of case in which legal proceedings ought to be taken.
(5) The possibility of joint action being taken by all the Public Health Authorities
of London and Greater London, and the form which such joint action, if any,
should assume.
(6) The consideration of new methods by which the duties of Smoke Inspectors
can be facilitated."
This committee, to which your Medical Officer was appointed as a
representative of the Metropolitan Standing Joint Committee, is to
hold its first meeting at the Ministry of Health early in 1928.
Special Course for Inspectors dealing with Smoke Nuisances.—In
view of the possible requirements to be laid down in by-laws to be made
under the Smoke Abatement Act, 1926, the Royal Sanitary Institute
drew attention to a special course of instruction for those engaged in
inspection of smoke nuisances. Apart, from the exercise of statutory
powers much can be done by giving expert advice as to how furnaces
should be stoked, the alterations in structure or apparatus used in stoking,
suitability of fuel for particular purposes, and in other directions. It was
resolved, therefore, to send the two sanitary inspectors engaged in this
work to attend this special course, the expenditure having received the
approval of the Ministry.