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deposited. Thus a large amount of labour is saved to the scavenger, who is otherwise often obliged
to (fetch [the] dust] from a more distant or less accessible position. From the point of view of the
improvement of health conditions in London, this system provides a distinct advance, and it is much
to be desired that it will receive the cordial co-operation and support of the inhabitants.
Nuisance from flies.
During the summer of 1908 further inquiry was undertaken with regard to nuisance from flies,
on lines similar to those followed in 1907. As in the previous year, 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 flies thus caught were carefully counted and sorted into species.
It is deserving of note that one of the depots which caused so much nuisance in 1907 was not used after
June of 1908, and in correspondence with this it was found (judging by the results obtained at fifteen
places of observation surrounding this centre) that there had been at least six million fewer flies in 1908
than in 1907, in houses within a radius of 200 yards from the depot. In 1907, as in 1908, the large part
played by collections of horse manure in determining fly prevalence was abundantly apparent, andthe
need for regulating the sanitary condition of stables was thus again emphasized. The flies caught during
the year were classified into species, and in Dr. Hamer's report appended (Appendix III.) curves of
seasonal prevalence of the three common species of house flies are exhibited.
As regards the causal relation of house flies to summer diarrhoea, no final opinion can as yet be
expressed.
Other nuisances.
The annual reports make mention of various nuisances which came under observation during
the year. Nuisances from rag and bone shops are referred to in the reports relating to Paddington
and Lambeth. Nuisances at the time of removal of fish offal, or failure to comply with the by-laws
of the County Council as to the conditions to be observed in the removal of offensive matter were the
subject of proceedings in several districts. In the report of the medical officer of health of St. Marylebone
the subject of dust nuisance during the demolition of buildings is discussed, and it is stated that
in Paris this nuisance is dealt with by spraying the building with water. Risk from the discharge
of petrol into sewers is also mentioned in this report, and it is stated that it was pointed out to the
occupiers of garages that the oils retained in petroleum interceptors should be baled up for return to
oil refiners. To separate the oil from water the mixture should be put into a barrel standing on end
and provided with two taps, one near the bottom and the other about a quarter of the way up, so
that after settlement the oil may be drawn from the upper tap and the water from the lower. Nuisance
from the discharge into sewers of gas washings in the making of petroleum gas is discussed in the
report of the medical officer of health of the City, who points out that the nuisance which is due to
sulphuretted hydrogen can be obviated in great degree by the addition of permanganate of potash to
the washings. Nuisance from destructors in Tin worth-street and Shot Tower wharf is referred to by
the medical officer of health of Lambeth, from a coke conveyor of the Gas Light and Coke Company by
the medical officer of health of Battersea, from grinding of mica and from grain drying by the medical
officer of health of Camberwell, and from the cleansing of cement bags by the medical officer of health
of Greenwich. Nuisance from sewer ventilators is referred to in the reports relating to Westminster,
Poplar, Battersea, Wandsworth, Greenwich and Woolwich, and floodings from sewers are mentioned
in the reports relating to Poplar and Greenwich. The discharge of storm water from the Council's
sewer into Battersea Creek was the subject of proceedings during the year.
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.
No new schemes under this Act were made by the Council during 1908. The following is a
summary of the proceedings during the year in respect of schemes previously made:—
Proceedings under Part I. of the Act.
Union-buildings scheme (Holborn).—In July the Housing of the Working Classes Committee
reported the completion of a further portion of Laney-buildings, comprising tenements 27 to 62, providing
accommodation for 168 persons in 16 tenements of three rooms, 16 tenements of two rooms, and
4 tenements of one room, and in October the Committee reported the completion of the final portion
of these buildings, comprising tenements 63 to 71, providing accommodation for 54 persons in 4 tenements
of four rooms, 1 tenement of three rooms and 4 tenements of four rooms. Buckridge and Kirkbybuildings
on the same area are also completed. These buildings provide accommodation for 530 persons
in 30 tenements of four rooms, 35 of three rooms and 20 of two rooms. The Council has displaced 1,402
persons from this area and has provided accommodation for 1,424.
Proceedings under Part II. of the Act.
Brantome-place and Prospect-terrace scheme— In July the Council approved plans submitted by
the St. Pancras Borough Council for the erection on the Prospect-terrace area of six-storey buildings for
the accommodation of 352 persons, including the provision of twelve bathrooms and a drying room and
towel store in the basement of one of the blocks. The plans also showed accommodation for the
caretaker, offices, waiting rooms, etc.
Proceedings under Part III. of the Act.
White Hart-lane estate.—In April the Council accepted a tender of £22,161 for the erection of
87 cottages on the second part of the Tower-gardens section of this estate.
Norbury estate.—In October the Council accepted a tender of £11,673 for the erection of 63
cottages on the second part of Section B of this estate.
Totter down-fields estate.—In October the Housing of the Working Classes Committee reported
the completion of 17 cottages and two shops, the cottages providing accommodation for 170 persons