London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Marylebone 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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13
Legal Proceedings in Connection with Nuisances.
The number of summonses issued in respect of nuisances during the year was 11.
Particulars with regard to each of the cases are given below and it should be noted that in each instance, though there were contraventions of provisions contained in other acts and by-laws, the Public Heath (London) Act, 1891, is the only enactment mentioned in the list.
| Premises. | Offence. Proceedings taken under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, &c. | Result. |
|---|---|---|
| 9, Richmond Street | Failure to comply with a statutory notice to execute certain sanitary requirements. | No fine. £4 4s. costs. |
| 10, Ordnance Road | Do. | Fined £6 and £6 6s. costs. |
| 11, Little North Street | Do. | Fined £l0 and £5 5s. costs. |
| 37, Fisherton Street | Do. | Fined £3 and £3 3s. costs. |
| 13, Old Quebec Street | Do. | Fined £5 and £2 2s. costs. |
| 147, Carlisle Street | Do. | Fined £20 and £3 3s. costs. |
| 37, Fisherton Street | Do. | Fined £3 and £3 3s. costs. |
| 18, Hanover Terrace | Do. | Fined £3 and £2 2s. costs. |
| 12, Bell Street | Do. | Fined £l and £2 2s. costs. |
| 27, Henstridge Place | Do. | Fined £2 and £5 costs. |
| 31, Manchester Street | Do. | Fined £2 and £1 3s. costs. |
Rat Repression during 1920.
During the year the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1920, came into
operation and in connection with its administration arrangements were made for
Inspector Draper to carry out the duties of Rat Officer under it in addition to his
other duties as District Inspector. He is taking the greatest interest in the
work and it is largely because of this that several large premises in the Borough
have been freed of the vermin and that questions of doubt and difficulty in connection
with the matter are so frequently referred to the Public Health Department.
The following report on the administration of the Rats and Mice (Destruction)
Act, 1920, by Inspector Draper contains much useful information on the Act and
the rat problem generally and also shows the results obtained during the year.
That the Rajs and Mice (Destruction )Act was legislation long overdue is
generally admitted, and the improvement that has ensued in premises, particularly
those in which food, etc. was prepared or stored, that had been infested, has
confirmed the view that organised action was necessary.
The powers of the Act, though wide, leave room for extension. Particularly,
advantage would be gained by making the infestation of premises notifiable, since
people hesitate to appeal to the Council for assistance from the sanitary inspector
feeling that though the rat trouble may be cured the remedy may be so drastic and the
expense involved so considerable that even rat infestation may be preferable.
Section 1 of the Act places on the occupier the whole responsibility for ridding
the premises of the pest. With tenement houses containing three or more families
this is a difficult proposition and provision should be introduced making owners
responsible for any structural work that may be required and that is not necessitated
as a result of the neglect of the tenant.