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55
In the crowded streets of the City it is almost impossible to exaggerate the
importance of all measures tending to minimise the amount of dust in the air.
Much can be done by the thorough cleansing of the streets, and watering
them in dry and hot weather with a disinfectant solution. This is carried out
continuously by your Cleansing Department, and the City streets will bear
favourable comparison with those in other districts of the Metropolis.
But more than this is required—Public Companies (rail, tram, omnibus,
&c.) can effect much by introducing more effective methods of cleansing their
vehicles, and by adopting a simple plan of moistening with a cheap form of
disinfectant all floors and platforms before sweeping. Further, the private
individual and employer of labour should certainly do his share by insisting
upon frequent cleansing, with the same precautions.
The provision of proper covers to the dust carts during the last year at the
suggestion of your Medical Officer of Health has considerably diminished the
dangerous nuisance caused by the scattering of light refuse by the wind, and
it is to be desired that before long this precaution will be completed by the
compulsory provision by householders of efficiently covered dust bins.
The Corporation has power under Section 4, City of London (Public
Health) Act, 1902, to make Bye-laws to compel householders to "deposit
"their refuse before eight o'clock in the morning on the kerbstone of the
"pavement, and all house refuse deposited in a street in accordance with the
"provisions of this Act or of the Metropolitan Streets Act, 1867, shall be
"contained in a box, barrel or receptacle of a prescribed pattern or patterns,"
and the provision of such Bye-laws is one of the most urgent requirements of
the Sanitary service.
SPITTING IN PUBLIC PLACES.
It cannot be too generally known that spitting in certain public places in
the Metropolis is now a punishable offence.
Included in some Bye-laws for the good rule and government of the County
of London, which includes the City, made by the London County Council on
12th May, 1903, under Section 23 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882,
and Section 16 of the Local Government Act, 1888, is one dealing with the
spitting evil, which provides that:—
"No person shall spit on the floor, side or wall of any public carriage,
"or any public hall, public waiting-room, or place of public entertainment
"whether admission thereto be obtained upon payment or not."
"Any person who shall offend against this Bye-law shall be liable for
each offence to a fine not exceeding forty shillings."