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129
Foot and
mouth
disease.
In consequence of the confirmation in the early part of the year of foot and
mouth disease on premises at Acton and Neasden, Middlesex, the Minister of Agriculture
and Fisheries issued an Order known as the Foot and Mouth Disease (Infected
Areas) Order of 1924 (No. 9), by which a large area, including the County of London,
was constituted an infected area and added to the list of infected areas set out in
the First Schedule of the Foot and Mouth Disease (Infected Areas) Order of 1924,
known as the Principal Order. Subsequently outbreaks occurred at two premises
in Bethnal Green. Immediate steps were taken, in conjunction with the officials of
the Ministry of Agriculture, to prevent the spread of infection. In all, 39 cows
were slaughtered, and the disinfection of the carcases and of the premises affected
was thoroughly carried out. In consequence of a further outbreak of disease at
Enfield on 6th April, 1924, the County of London was again included in an infected
area, and a similar course was followed as the result of additional outbreaks of the
disease in June, 1924.
Animals in
Transit.
In consequence of a new outbreak at Loughton in September, 1924, the County
of London north of the River Thames was again included in an infected area. The
necessary steps were taken in each case to secure that the provisions of the various
Orders issued by the Minister were brought to the notice of persons concerned.
To ensure that the requirements of the Animals (Transit and General) Order,
1912, and the Animals (Transit and General) Amendment Order of 1924, and the
Exportation and Transit of Horses, etc.. Order of 1921, and the Exportation and
Transit of Horses, etc. (Amendment) Order of 1923 are being observed, and that
the animals are free from signs of disease, the Council's inspectors pay numerous
visits to railway wharves, depots, etc., where animals in transit are collected. The
visits during 1924 numbered 2,522, the animals examined being—horses 4,661,
cattle 46,861, sheep 76,801, swine 15,209, making a total of 143,532. There were
55 infringements, 48 written cautions, 7 cases of legal proceedings and 4 convictions,
with penalities and costs amounting to £40 10s.
Nuisances
from smoke.
Proceedings as indicated below were taken by the Council during 1924 with
regard to smoke nuisances from railway and road locomotives, and some proceedings
have also been instituted by the sanitary authorities in respect of smoke nuisances
from trade premises. As regards railway locomotives, section 114 of the Railway
Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, requires that every locomotive shall be constructed
on the principle of consuming its own smoke, and section 19 of the Regulation of
Railways Act, 1868, enacts that, if a locomotive fails to do this, the railway company
shall be guilty of an offence. Twenty-two prosecutions were instituted against railway
companies; 18 convictions were obtained, penalties and costs amounting to £46 2s. 6d
being imposed. Thirteen prosecutions instituted in respect of smoke nuisance from
road locomotives were all successful, the penalties and costs imposed amounting to
£20 15s.
During 1923 the Council considered how far fog in London is caused by the
pollution of the atmosphere due to preventable causes, whether by a larger use of
electricity for power and other purposes the atmosphere of London might be improved,
and whether any, and if so what, further powers were required to deal with the
emission of smoke in London. Particulars are given in the Annual Report for 1923
(Vol. I., pp. 87-8) of the conclusions arrived at.
Infant life
protection.
Part I. of the Children Act, 1908, provides that a person who undertakes for
hire or reward the nursing and maintenance of an infant under the age of seven
years apart from its parents shall, within 48 hours, give notice of such reception
to the local authority (in London the Council), and empowers such local authority
to fix the number of infants which may be kept in any dwelling. If an infant dies
the foster-mother must notify the coroner within 24 hours, and the Council within
48 hours. At the end of 1924, 2,392 foster-mothers and 2,926 nurse-infants were
under inspection. Power is given to remove to a place of safety an infant in the