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72
The Entomologist's conclusions were as follows:—
"No larvae or pupae of Culex pipiens were found in any of the water collections
examined ; neither was any evidence (such as larval or pupal skins) obtained
to show that Culex pipiens had ever bred in the past in such water collections.
It is therefore my opinion that the area investigated is entirely free of the breeding
places of this insect, and that they must invade the area from breeding places
outside the boundaries of the City of Westminster."
The area affected abutted on the Borough of Chelsea, and was near certain
Government buildings in that Borough, and Battersea Park. The Medical Officer of
Health of Chelsea was therefore communicated with, as also were the Minister of
Health and the Medical Officer of Health of the London County Council.
Investigation by the Chelsea authorities, by officials of the Government and by the
London County Council failed to discover any breeding grounds in the areas over
which they had control, but certain precautionary measures were taken by those
authorities.
Drainage and Sewerage.—During the year 1,080 plans of drainage and
other sanitary works relating to existing and new buildings were examined
and approved by the Committee. This is the highest number so far
recorded but in itself is no indication of the extent of the work which
supervision of drainage under the two sets of by-laws entails. While one
drainage plan may indicate the addition of a bath and w.c. in a small house
another plan for single premises may represent the drainage scheme for
300 flats or offices. The new Dolphin Court advertised as the largest
block of fiats in Europe is a case in point. It will contain 1,250 separate
dwellings with some 7,000-8,000 sanitary fitments, special arrangements
for water supplies, the discharge of waste water from swimming pools,
heating and cooling plants etc. Close supervision of the progress of the
work in this building would require the whole time of a sanitary inspector
every working day during the two year period of construction.
In addition to the works in respect of which plans were submitted,
many small alterations such as the diversion of pipes, replacement of
fittings, &c., were notified to the department and received supervision,
though in such cases plans were not necessary.
Considerable experience has now been obtained of the operation
of what is known as the "one-pipe" system of drainage, now permissible
under the new by-laws of the London County Council. This
method of draining large blocks of buildings such as are erected in
Westminster is very popular and in many instances effects a reduction
in cost.