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No rats have been seen at the tip for several years, and this result may reasonably be attributed
to the system of controlled tipping. Arrangements have been made for dealing with these vermin
should their presence be suspected at any time.
During the year ended 31st December, 1938, the tonnage of refuse collected was as follows:—
House, trade and market refuse 41,264
Street and gully refuse 11,989
Total tons 53,253
Forty-seven per cent. of the refuse was collected by horse vans and 53 per cent. by motor waggons.
It is estimated that the above total tonnage is equal to over 200,000 cubic yards.
Cleansing of Streets, Courts and Gullies.
The major part of the work of street cleansing is done during the night, when the whole of the
City is cleansed either by motor brooms, motor water waggons or jet and hose.
The condition of the centres of the carriageways in main thoroughfares during dry weather,
except in market areas, is clean enough to render a nightly washing of the whole surface unnecessary,
and such carriageways are therefore completely washed once a week only. On the other five nights
of the week the channels are washed. In wet weather, however, the whole of the carriageways are
washed every night if necessary.
Certain secondary streets, including those in the vicinity of Billingsgate and Leadenhall Markets
are washed every night, and streets in the vicinity of Smithfield Market three times per week.
Most of the street gullies are emptied as often as required by mechanical means, two machines
being employed for this purpose every night. After the gullies have been emptied, they are re-sealed
with clean water from the machines and the contents of the gullies removed to Lett's Wharf.
Gullies in courts and narrow thoroughfares, which are inaccessible to the machines, are emptied
by hand or flushed, as required.
During the year 1938,65,211 gullies were cleansed and 26,712,576 gallons of water used for cleansing
streets, courts and gullies.
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 smoke-laden atmosphere. These are cleansed or limewashed
twice a year under the direction of the Director of Public Cleansing. Of the places so dealt
with during 1938, 19 were situated in the East District, 24 in the Middle District, and 17 in the West
District.
bye-laws in regard to water closets, etc.
The Bye-laws in regard to Water Closets, etc., which have been made under the City
of London (Various Powers) Act, 1900, have been in operation since 1909. The passage of
time has rendered these Bye-laws out of date, and a new set, made under the City of London
(Various Powers) Act, 1926, was confirmed by the Ministry of Health in April, 1938.
eradication of bed bugs.
(1) There were no Council houses infested with bed bugs. Of private houses, 12 were
found to be infested, and these 12 were disinfested.
(2) Fumigation with SO2, combined with loosening of skirtings, etc., and the use of
a blow lamp where necessary and practicable, were the methods employed for freeing infested
houses.
(3) Disinfestation of the belbngings of tenants before removal to other property is
carried out on request.
(4) Disinfestation is carried out by the Local Authority.
(5) Instruction and advice is given by the responsible inspector in the hope of preventing
infestation or re-infestation after cleansing.
swimming baths.
There is only one swimming bath in the City of London and that is under the control
of St. Bride's Foundation. It is always conducted in a satisfactory manner and the purification
of the water has been secured by the installation of the Royles system.
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