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The complaints related mostly to fouling of cornices and flat copings
of buildings, while in a few instances it was alleged that residents could
not sleep because of cooing. The agents whom the Council has appointed
to deal with pigeons paid several visits and gave some very helpful
advice.
Mosquitoes.—In August and September complaints were received
from a number of occupiers of buildings in the vicinity of the Embankment
by Charing Cross Railway Bridge that their premises were infested with
mosquitoes. The Sanitary Inspector made a general inspection of the
premises in the neighbourhood with a view to discovering whether there
were any receptacles containing stagnant water which were acting as
breeding grounds. He was accompanied on one occasion by an official
of the Ministry of Health. The inspection disclosed the fact that there
were in existence many disused water tanks, most of which on examination
were found to contain the larvse of mosquitoes. The owners or occupiers
responsible were requested to clean out or to remove the tanks and to
take steps to ensure that in future water should not be allowed to collect
and become stagnant. Enquiries made later proved that the action
taken had been effective in mitigating the nuisance. Subsequent investigations
were carried out by the Ministry of Health on the question as to
whether the insects were carriers of the malaria protozoon. It is understood
that the findings were negative.
Ministry of Health Survey.—In September, 1931, the Minister
intimated that in accordance with powers vested in him under Section 104,
Local Government Act, 1929, he had requested Dr. F. R. Seymour to
undertake a survey and report to him on the sanitary services of the City
of Westminster. Dr. Seymour visited the City Hall on 28th September,
and was introduced to the Mayor and Town Clerk. He made a thorough
survey of the various branches of the Public Health Department—investigation
of infectious diseases, disinfection, mortuaries, office administration
and statistics ; sanitary inspection and housing records ; food and drugs
administration, factories and workshops inspection, tuberculosis dispensary,
the maternity and child welfare centres, and vaccination work. His
visits were somewhat interrupted by urgent work at the Ministry and
his survey had not concluded by the end of the year. He personally
interviewed every member of the staff and accompanied the sanitary
inspectors in their work in the district. Dr. Seymour expressed
satisfaction with the facilities extended to him for investigating the
work of the department and will report in due course to the Minister of
Health.