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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 no case
was reported by your officers.
Sanitary Defects and Infectious Diseases.—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 97 cases so investigated in 1931, it was found necessary
to make amendments to soil and waste pipes, water-closets, &c., in 23 instances.
House, Trade and other Refuse Removal.—The City Engineer informs me that the refuse
removed from the City in 1931 consisted of 26,204 cartloads of street sweepings and slops,
and 47,152 loads of house and trade refuse, a total of 73,356 loads. The total for the year
1930 was 64,193. 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.
Legal Proceedings.—During the year, 101 notices have been served by the District
Inspectors at the order of the Sanitary Committee, and in no case was it found necessary,
in consequence of non-compliance therewith, to refer the matter to the City Solicitor.
Summer Flushing of Courts.—There are 161 courts and narrow passages throughout
the City, which were regularly flushed during the summer months, under the direction of
the City Engineer, who informs me that in this service, and the flushing of the main streets,
no less than 25,111,418 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.
Limewashing of Courts.—There are 60 courts and narrow passages situated in various
parts of the City, 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 1931, 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, 23 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 21 of the connections referred
to. 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.
BASEMENT ROOMS USED FOR SLEEPING PURPOSES.
This matter has again been the subject of discussion between the London County Council,
The City Corporation and other Local Authorities, with the object of introducing amended
legislation. The difficult and controversial nature of the several proposals necessitates
careful consideration before they are co-ordinated in the form of an Act of Parliament.
PIGEONS.
Although complaints continue to be received in regard to damage and nuisance caused
by congregations of pigeons within the City area, these have been fewer during 1931 than
for many years past. The campaign inaugurated in 1927 under the powers conferred by
the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, has been continued, and 700 birds
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