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62
STREET GULLIES.
The gradual substitution of properly trapped gullies for those formerly existing
has greatly reduced the number of complaints received of offensive smells arising from
those appliances, especially in warm weather. In some cases this nuisance was
doubtless due to want of flushing, but in the majority faulty construction was the
cause of the trouble.
The City Engineer has given special attention to this matter for several years past,
and his. action in replacing the old pattern gullies with those of a more up-to-date
design will, I hope, eventually lead to a complete abatement of the evil.
OVERCROWDING.
Overcrowding is a nuisance to be dealt with summarily under Section 2,
Sub-section 1 (e), of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and during the year
3 cases were reported by your officers. On the service of the statutory notice of
abatement the overcrowding was discontinued in each instance.
The details respecting overcrowding are set out in the Census Tables on
page 18.
SANITARY DEFECTS AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
In every case of notification of infectious disease, the premises involved were
inspected with regard to the drainage system, water supply, ventilation, &c. ; and of
the 72 cases so investigated in 1913, it was found necessary to reconstruct the sanitary
system in 1 instance, and to make amendments to soil and waste pipes, water-closets,
&c., in 30 others.
HOUSE, TRADE AND OTHER REFUSE REMOVAL.
The City Engineer informs me that the refuse removed from the City in 1913
consisted of 26,128 cartloads of street sweepings and slops, and 51,114 loads of house
and trade refuse, a total of 77,242 loads. The total for the year 1912 was 77,649.
The use of the Destructor was discontinued in September, 1905, since which date all
refuse has been removed by barge from Lett's Wharf to the Corporation land on
Hornchurch Marshes, where it is dealt with. The horse manure collected from the
street orderly bins is not included in the above, but is dealt with by a contractor, who
sells it to market gardeners and others.
RAILWAY STATIONS.
Periodical inspections were made of the sanitary accommodation provided at the
twenty-six Railway Stations in the City.
In 14 of them, the Companies owning them have been called upon to effect
sanitary improvements. The defects, for the most part, have been due to the lack of
proper cleaning and to defective drains and sanitary fittings. In all cases the necessary
works have been satisfactorily carried out.