London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1892

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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rooms is that at tbe time of inspection there may be no separate occupation of them, whereas in the
following week the conditions of tenancy may have changed, as frequently happens, and the rooms
become separately occupied.
Smoke Nuisance.
The Public Health (London) Act, 1891, transferred from the Commissioner of Police to the
sanitary authorities the dutv of administering the provisions relating to the abatement of smoke nuisances.

The following table shows the number of police officers employed in previous years and the proceedings taken in respect to smoke nuisances.

No. of police employedCost.Cases reported.Cases where proceedings were taken.Convictions.Cafes dismissed or withdrawn.
Sergeant.Constable.Part time constable.
£s.d.
188217413,2771481,2481681626
188319393,378541,1131261197
188419393,3361341,0641451378
188519403,398549671241204
188619403,53016-94092828
1887120293,51813485686815
1888121283,64114869453494
1889124233,59418876968608
1890124233,6576870253467

The annual reports of the medical officers of health of sixteen districts do not show what
steps have been taken to carry out these provisions of the Public Health Act.
In the reports relating to the undermentioned districts, statements are made to the following
effect.
Westminster.—Careful attention was given to the subject of smoke abatement, and several owners
of furnaces cautioned.
St. James, Westminster.—4 smoke nuisances were abated.
St. Pancras.—14 smoke nuisances were abated.
Islington.—Regulations relating to smoke nuisances were prepared.
Strand.—All cases of nuisance were inquired into and remedied.
Holborn.—A register of 45 furnaces prepared and these periodically inspected; 4 were altered
so as to make them properly consume smoke; 13 complaints received.
Clerkenwell.—26 smoke nuisances were abated.
St. Luke.—10 notices were served.
Shoreditch.—Persons were frequently cautioned, and 12 smoke nuisances abated.
Bethnal-green.—10 smoke nuisances were abated.
St. George-in-the-East.—15 smoke nuisances were abated.
Limehouse.—25 smoke nuisances were abated.
St. George-the-Martyr, Southwark.—10 smoke nuisances were abated.
Newington.—Includes the number of smoke nuisances with number of certain other nuisances
abated.
Bermondsey.—118 notices were served.
Lambeth.—The report of the vestry shows that notices were served to abate nuisance.
Battersea.—10 smoke nuisances were reported and dealt with.
Wandsworth.—Notices were served on some owners.
Camberwell.—49 orders were made to abate smoke nuisances.
Greenwich.—The report of the district board shows that 13 notices were served.
Plumstead.—In Charlton and Lee parishes 1 and 3 notices were served respectively. In
Plumstead parish the report states there was less black smoke from the Arsenal, but that there is room
for improvement.
Housing of the Working Classes.
During the year 1892 a number of areas in London were under the consideration of the Public
Health and Housing Committee. The following statement shows briefly the action taken in respect of
unhealthy areas which were the subject of report by the Committee to the Council.
Boundary-street scheme.—The provisional order sanctioning this scheme was received in June,
and the Bill confirming the order became law on the 3rd July, 1891. During 1892 the Committee was
actively engaged in acquiring the interests in the property, and from time to time as possession of the
various premises was obtained I reported in conjunction with the valuer upon their condition. The
worst houses were closed at once, in other cases repairs were executed with a view to continuing the
tenancies for a time, obviating large displacements and affording opportunity for persons to obtain
accommodation elsewhere. In all cases the new residences to which those displaced had recourse were
also inspected.
A number of schemes under Part II. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, undertaken
jointly by the Council and the district authority, were dealt with during the year; the following areas
may be particularly alluded to.
Ann-street, Poplar.—The question of dealing with this area had for some time past been before
the Committee, the conclusion that action should be taken under Torrens' Acts had been arrived at, and
the Poplar Board had been so informed. On the passing of the Housing of the Working Classes Act,
1890, proceedings for closing several of the houses on the area as unfit for human habitation were