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Neglect to comply with Water Closet Bye-laws.—One instance of neglect in this respect has
occurred during the year under review. The construction of water closets was commenced
before plans had been deposited for approval. The situation of the conveniences was not
in accordance with the Bye-laws and they were dismantled before they had been brought
into use.
Drainage Plans.—In the course of the year 294 plans were submitted with regard to
proposed reconstruction of water-closets or drains in the City.
Of these, 235 were approved, 38 revised and approved, and 21 not approved.
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 these 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.
Sanitary Defects and Infectious Diseases— In cases of notification of infectious disease,
the premises involved were inspected with regard to the drainage system, water supply,
ventilation, etc., and of the 38 cases investigated in 1937, defects were found in six instances.
Legal Proceedings.—During the year, 32 notices have been issued by 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.
The condition of the approaches to Billingsgate Market and the Custom 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 1937, 19 were situated in the East
District, 24 in the Middle District, and 17 in the West District.
Defective Conditions to Sewer.—During the year, 14 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 seven 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 four instances.
COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF REFUSE AND CLEANSING OF STREETS, COURTS AND GULLIES.
The following observations are included in this Report by the courtesy of Mr. E. J.
Eager, the Director of Public Cleansing :—
Collection and Disposal of Refuse.
House and trade refuse is collected by 10 a.m. from receptacles placed on the kerb in streets
scheduled by the Ministry of Transport, and after 10 a.m. from the interior of premises in other streets.
Special arrangements are made for the collection of large quantities of trade refuse in scheduled streets.
The contents of street orderly bins and market refuse are collected at any time during the day or night.
All refuse is conveyed by horse-drawn vans or motor waggons to Lett's Wharf. It is there shot
into the contractors' barges ; house, trade and market refuse being taken down the river to Hornchurch,
where it is deposited on land belonging to the Corporation. Manure and contents of street orderly
bins are separately barged where required by the contractors.
At Hornchurch, the refuse is disposed of under the system of controlled tipping, as recommended
by the Ministry of Health— i.e., the crude refuse is sealed off from the air by layers of earth excavated
from the maiden ground of the tip and from other sources.