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Engineer, who informs me that in this service, and the flushing of the main streets, no less
than 20,464,058 gallons of water were used. Of these courts and alleys, seven were flushed
four times a week, six three times a week, three twice a week, 21 once a week, five once
a month, and 119 every two months.
Disinfectants are also freely applied where desirable.
The condition of the approaches to Billingsgate Market and the Customs House, as
heretofore, required special attention. There has always been a difficulty in keeping the
thoroughfares in the immediate vicinity of these places free from nuisance caused by the
drippings from the fish carts, especially during hot weather.
Lime-washing of Courts.—There are 60 courts and narrow passages situated in various
parts of the Ciry, the walls of which, unless cleansed frequently, become dirty and unsightly
through the constant traffic of passengers or vehicles, together with the action of the smokeladen
atmosphere. These are cleansed or limewashed twice a year under the direction of
the City Engineer. Of the places so dealt with during 1926, 19 were situated in the East
District, 24 in the Middle District, and 17 in the West District.
Defective Connections to Sewer.—During the year, 16 reports were received from the City
Engineer respecting the condition of connections between the drains of certain City houses
and the public sewer.
Investigations showed that it was necessary to reconstruct all of the connections referred
to. Of these, 14 have been completed and the remainder are, at the time of writing this
Report, in process of reconstruction. As a result of the inspection of the internal drainage
system of these premises, reconstruction or alteration was found necessary in 13 instances.
In the majority of cases these external drains were brick-barrel drains, in which rats
had their breeding-places, and were, undoubtedly, a source of much annoyance to the
occupiers of the houses to which they were connected.
FLY NUISANCE.
The attention which it has been customary to give to the possibility of the spreading of
infection by flies during the summer months has been continued. Leaflets were distributed
throughout the City calling attention to the dangers created by the fly, and making
special reference to the precautionary measures which should be taken to minimise such
dangers. Your officers, where opportunity offered, made a special point of directing attention
of householders to the necessity for the strict observance of cleanliness, frequent removal
of dust and other refuse and particularly of food-stuffs, especially milk.
For the first year since special consideration has been given to this question, the services
of the several Ward Beadles were utilized in directing attention to the subject. They were
all furnished with a supply of leaflets, and I have reason to believe that the assistance they
were able to give in consequence of their intimate knowledge of their districts, has been of
considerable value.
RAG AND BONE DEALERS' BYE-LAWS.
Section 9 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1908, empowers the Corporation
to make Bye-laws for regulating the conduct within the City of London of the business
of a rag and bone dealer, a fish curer and a fish frier.
The Bye-laws with regard to the two latter trades have been completed and are in operation,
but certain difficulties in respect of the former resulted in their preparation being
deferred. They have, however, now been completed, and will form a useful and necessary
addition to the range of powers with which the City is furnished.
FACTORY AND WORKSHOP ACT, 1901, &.C.
Factories, Workshops and Workplaces.—The premises upon the Register number 3,908
in which are included 8,271 workrooms, &c.
There were served 2.043 notices during the vear for various purposes under the Acts.