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Nuisance from stable manure.
Nuisance from stable manure is less frequently mentioned in the reports for the year 1907 than
in some antecedent years, probably in some degree owing to the cooler weather which prevailed in the
summer months. In several reports it is stated that removal of manure from all stables and cowsheds
was required to be effected every forty-eight hours, and the frequency with which this is done
no doubt determines to a considerable extent the amount of nuisance which manure causes. A table
contained in the report of the medical officer of health of Southwark gives particulars concerning
the stables in that borough. 686 stables were inspected during 1907, this number probably including
all which were in occupation. Peat or moss litter, frequently a fruitful source of nuisance at the time
of removal, was used in 45 stables, straw in 528, and other kinds of litter in 113. The manure was stored
in a waggon in 51 instances, in concrete or brick receptacles in 294, in a cage or in an iron receptacle in
205, and in 136 instances there were unsatisfactory receptacles or none at all. Concerning frequency of
removal, the table shows that the manure was removed every day from 244 stables, every two days
from 213, every three days from 154, once a week from 73, and once a fortnight from two.
Removal of house refuse.
So far as the subject of removal of house refuse is discussed in the annual reports, it is shown
that this duty is being satisfactorily performed. The by-laws of the County Council require that
the refuse shall be removed from all premises not less than once a week, and further facilities are
required to be given by householders to sanitary authorities desirous of instituting a system of daily
removal in the whole or in parts of their districts, the householders being then under the obligation,
after due notice, to put the house refuse upon the pavement in suitable receptacles. In some
districts removal is effected from some houses or parts of districts more frequently than once a week.
A system of daily removal is being gradually extended in Westminster, Poland-street being added in
1907 to the streets from which the removal is daily. Dr. Allan states, moreover, that the refuse
is being removed from the houses in that borough earlier in the day than before. The house refuse in
Holborn is removed at least twice a week in the months of April to October, and oftener if required
by the medical officer of health, and once a week in the rest of the year. In Shoreditch the refuse
is removed weekly and in many cases on request daily. The system of weekly removal for which the
by-law provides has led to great reduction in the number of "complaints" by householders.
In Islington, in 1907, these complaints numbered only 55, in Hackney 89, and in Finsbury 92.
The number of refusals on the part of householders is still large, in Hackney amounting to some
four or five thousand per week. This matter, however, is one the sanitary authorities can control,
inasmuch as refusal to permit the removal constitutes " obstruction," for which a penalty can be
obtained.
Nuisance from flies.
Conspicuous prevalence of flies in the vicinity of the depot of the Borough Council of Bethnal
Green led the Public Health Committee to instruct me to report generally on the subject of fly
nuisance resulting from deposits of house refuse and manure in London. The work of inquiry was
intrusted to Dr. W. H. Hamer, who had the assistance of a number of the Council's inspectors in the
Public Health Department. Arrangements were made for fly papers to be exposed in suitable places
in the neighbourhood of collections of house refuse, horse stable manure, cow manure, etc., and the
fiies thus caught were duly counted. Evidence was abundantly forthcoming of the effect of these
collections in producing fly nuisance, and the inquiry showed the necessity for the prompt removal
of such material from inhabited localities. Dr. Hamer's report is appended (see Appendix II).
Removal of offensive trade refuse.
In the last annual report it was stated that a system of collection of offensive trade refuse (fish
offal) by the sanitary authorities was in operation in the City, Woolwich, Finsbury, Wandsworth
and Greenwich, a contractor being employed for this purpose in the City, Wandsworth and Greenwich.
In the rest of London generally the removal is effected by firms engaged in this occupation without
the intervention of the sanitary authority. In several districts there were prosecutions for infringement
of the County Council s by-laws prescribing the times within which offensive matter may be
conveyed through the streets and the conditions to be observed in removal.
Nuisance from sewers.
In the report relating to Fulham there is mention of the flooding of basements from sewers
being surcharged. After exceptional rainfall on the 29th July, and subsequent days, such floodings
occurred in various parts of that borough. It is expected that in future such occurrences in that
locality will be prevented on the completion of the Council's sewer in Hammersmith in course
of construction. Flooding from a local sewer is mentioned in the report of the medical officer of health
of Lambeth. It was decided to deepen the sewer so as to prevent recurrence. Complaints of offensive
emanation from sewer ventilators are mentioned in a few reports. The medical officer of health of
Woolwich states that complaints as to the County Council's new outfall sewer were under consideration,
with the result that openings in the sewer were closed.
Housing of the Working Classes Act.
No new schemes under this Act were undertaken by the Council during 1907. The following
is a summary of the action taken during the year.
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