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ciated with disease and epidemics in the minds of those who live
within its area of supply.
Again, drainage and sewerage throughout this district are so
complete and effective that sewage disposal has ceased to be
a factor in the genesis of disease.
Smoke abatement is a problem which is practically confined
to a small area in the north-eastern corner of the Borough to
the leeward of the engine-sheds at Hornsey Station on the London
and North Eastern Railway. There the coaling and firing of
engines produces smoke, to the serious discomfort of residents
in Wightman Road and the roads passing east from it.
The collection of house refuse has been improved by the
replacement of the older dust-carts by improved modern vehicles.
REFUSE SHOOTS.
There are two refuse shoots within the Borough—one, belonging
to the Council, situated at the extreme north-western corner
of the area, in close proximity to the Council's Coldfall housing
estate; the other, at the open space which is being levelled to
form a playing-field to the south of Coolhurst Avenue, near the
centre of the borough.
During 1931 complaints have been received from residents
in these districts in regard to nuisances arising in connection with
the shoots. In common with many other similar deposits in
the London area, these became infested with crickets, which
invaded the neighbouring houses. Another cause of complaint
was rat-infestation of the dumps.
Every effort has been made and is being made to control
these pests, and to so improve the nature of the material being
deposited as to prevent recurrence of trouble from the same
causes. Efforts are also being made to accelerate the levelling
up and finishing off of the Coolhurst shoot.
HOUSING.
The favourable position of Hornsey in regard to the housing
of its population has frequently been commented upon in annual
reports of the Medical Officer of Health. In last year's report I
indicated the need for dealing with a few small groups of old
houses in an advanced state of senile decay—numbering in all
less than a hundred dwellings.