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a meeting of the medical officers concerned. Those from the City,
Westminster, Holborn, Marylebone, Kensington, Chelsea and Battersea
attended. It was agreed to suggest the appointment of an expert birdcatcher
who would use his own method of trapping. He would act as
the agent of the local authority for the purpose of entering premises,
consent to enter having been obtained. The birds would be removed
alive to a depot and there all ringed birds would be segregated and
removed by him to the official collector of the Homing Union. The
remaining ownerless birds would then be humanely disposed of in the
presence of an official of the local authority and given to the trapper.
For his services he would receive payment for the number of ownerless
birds caught. It was hoped to put a scheme in force by the end of
the year, but difficulties arose in another district owing chiefly to
interference by onlookers whose sympathies were on the side of the
pigeons and who succeeded in attracting them away from the snare
of the trapper. The whole matter is therefore being reconsidered and
it is hoped to bring up a fresh proposal in 1928.
Fouling of Footways by Doys.—This has been a cause of complaint
for many years to the Highways department responsible for the cleansing
of streets and footways, and to this department responsible for the abatement
of nuisances. It was considered that the adoption of a by-law
similar to that in force in Kensington, Fulham, Chelsea, and many other
districts outside London might have a deterrent effect on the carelessness
of owners who permit their dogs to soil the pavements. Presentments
from both committees were brought forward in support of a by-law and
were approved by the Council. The by-law reads as follows:—
"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 footw ay.
Any person offending against this by-law shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding
40s.
This by-law shall cease to be in force after the First day of January, 11130, unless
a by-law confirming and continuing its provisions has been duly made and come
into force before that date."
By arrangement with the Home Office complaints of any offences
will be brought to the notice of the Council by the police.
Public Health Act, 1925.—Consideration was given as to the desirability
of incorporating in a London County Council General Powers
Bill certain powers which had been conferred on all authorities outside
London by the Public Health Act, 1925.
The Medical Officer of Health drew attention to certain useful provisions
which would be of advantage if applied to the health administration
of the City. These briefly were as follows, reference being to sections
of the Public Health Act, 1925:—