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47
The only changes in the number of offensive trade premises, other than slaughterhouses,
in London are a reduction in the number of tripe boilers' premises and tallow melters' premises,
two of the former businesses and one of the latter being abandoned.

In a few instances proceedings were instituted by the borough councils against persons
thus employed, the offences being breaches of the County Council's by.laws for regulating the
conduct of the business. Thus in Wandsworth a fat melter was fined five pounds and a firm of
bone boilers and tallow melters was fined a similar amount, but on appeal the last penalty was
remitted owing to the date of the alleged nuisance not having been stated.
During the year the Council obtained powers under the L.C.C. (General Powers) Act,
1903, sec. 53, prohibiting any person from using any yard building or other premises within the
county for receiving or keeping horses for slaughter unless he shall hold a licence from the
Council for such purpose. Section 54 of this Act empowers the Council to make by.laws with
respect to the mode of conveying the carcases of dead horses through and along the public streets.
Nuisances.
Smoke nuisances.
In a number of the annual reports information is given as to the steps taken to abate
nuisances arising from chimneys emitting black smoke. In Paddington there were 73 observations
of 9 premises, and one notice was served; in Kensington there were several complaints; in
Hammersmith 25 summonses were taken out; in Fulham 15 intimations and 8 statutory notices
were served, and in two instances penalties were recovered; in Chelsea two nuisances were
abated; in Westminster 52 complaints were received, 2,731 observations were made, 106
nuisances were reported, 68 preliminary notices and 18 statutory notices were served and prosecutions
were instituted in two instances; in Marylebone 13 nuisances were abated; in Hampstead in
15 instances notices were served; in St. Paneras 8 complaints were dealt with and 118 smoke
shafts inspected weekly, and in 31 instances notices were served; in Islington 28 notices were
served; in Stoke Newington the chimneys on the register were watched; in Hackney 1,124
observations were made, 52 notices served, and prosecutions instituted in 4 instances; in
Holborn there were 107 inspections and 20 notices served; in Finsbury 19 nuisances were
abated; in the City 57 nuisances were abated; in Shoreditch nuisances from 13 premises were
abated; in Bethnal.green 834 premises were observed; in Stepney 100 nuisances were abated;
in Poplar 345 smoke nuisances were dealt with, 19G notices served, and prosecutions were instituted
in 7 instances; in Southwark there were 404 observations, 80 nuisances found, 53 intimations and
24 statutory notices served, and in 9 instances prosecutions were instituted; in Bermondsey there
were 173 observations, 56 nuisances reported, and in 5 instances prosecutions were instituted;
in Lambeth there were 720 observations, 60 notices served, and in one instance a prosecution
was instituted; in Battersea 126 smoke nuisances were observed, 100 notices were served, and
17 summonses taken out; in Wandsworth 26 notices were served; in Camberwell 58 nuisances
were abated; in Deptford 34 nuisances were abated; in Greenwich there were 312 observations,
and notices were served where nuisance was found; in Lewisham there were 3 nuisances, and
notices served for each; in Woolwich 133 observations of smoky chimneys were made; nuisance
from a chimney in the Royal Dockyard led to a communication being addressed to the chief
superintendent, after which there was considerable improvement; in 10 instances complaints of
smoke from certain South.Eastern Railway engines were sent to the traffic manager, with the
result that there was improvement.
Flooding of basements.
In several of the annual reports reference is made to the flooding of basements with sewage
in times of heavy rainfall. So far as the main drainage system is concerned the London County
Council have within the last few years decided to spend a sum of £3,000,000 in duplicating the
principal main outfall and intercepting sewers, and have carried out works or entered into
contracts involving an expenditure of over £1,500,000, and are proceeding as rapidly as possible
with the complete scheme, including the provision of additional storm.water sewers.