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12
NUISANCES.
In the following summary some idea of the amount of work done in relation
to nuisances is given. For details of other works carried out by the inspectors,
reference must be made to the sections dealing with housing, food, infectious
diseases, etc.
In regard to nuisances, the first point to note is that the total number of
complaints received was 2,631, as against 2,598 in 1931. The majority of these
complaints were made by the inspectors themselves, though a certain number
came from other members of the Council's staff, from voluntary workers of the
St. Marylebone Health Society, members of the Children's Care Committee, neighbours
and others. In respect of nuisances, 129 statutory notices were issued, the
figure being 81 in 1932.
Of these notices, 85 related to ordinary nuisances (dirt, dampness, etc.), 18 to
verminous rooms, 9 to drains, 3 to insufficient w.c. accommodation, 8 to insufficient
dustbins, 3 to underground rooms and 3 for the provision of water supply to the
upper storeys of tenement houses.
The 18 notices respecting verminous rooms were served under powers granted
by the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1922, and referred to 33
rooms. The number of notices in 1932 was 12.
In 2,502 cases the nuisances were abated by the persons responsible for their
removal after receipt of a preliminary (intimation) notice advising them of the
existence of the defect. In no instance was it necessary to institute legal proceedings
to enforce compliance with the statutory notices.