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Under the Council's rat destruction service, occupiers of residential properties and business
premises are charged 5s. and 10s. per treatment respectively. Advantage of the scheme was taken
in the large majority of cases of infestation brought to notice. The three rodent operatives made a
total of 10,307 visits in connection with this service.
Dog Nuisance.—Contravention of the bye-law relating to the fouling of footways by dogs was reported
by the Streets Nuisance Inspector in 19 cases and by police officers in two instances, in all of which
(excepting one where the case was dismissed) convictions were secured and penalties imposed. The
total number of prosecutions since the bye-law came into operation in 1928 is 403, the amount of
fines imposed being £164 9s. 6d.
Pigeons.—Nuisance from these birds was the subject of two complaints relating to blocks of flats.
Both complaints were dealt with satisfactorily and in one case a contractor was employed to reduce
the number of pigeons.
Noise.—Complaints of fifteen noise nuisances were received. They were concerned with such diverse
mattersas garages, demolition of buildings, machinery in factories, burglar alarms, street musicians,
radio, a club, and cockerels. The majority of these nuisances were abated after informal action by the
Sanitary Inspectors and the Streets Nuisance Inspector. In other cases, where upon investigation
it appeared that the Department could not take effective action, the matters were referred to the
Town and Country Planning Authority and to the Police. In no case was legal action necessary.
Smoke.—Observations were made regularly throughout the year, and complaints were received in
respect of smoke nuisances arising from eleven premises, relating mainly to commercial undertakings
and large blocks of flats. In most cases the nuisance, recurrent in some instances, was abated after
informal action. Continued attention was also given to complaints arising from emissions from the
two electricity generating stations in the Borough.
During 1948 the use of wartime fuel (creosote pitch) ceased and a return was made to the type of
oil normally used in oil-fired boilers. This necessitated a considerable amount of experimental work
and adjustments to plant, in connection with which there was close co-operation between officers of
the Public Health Department and engineers in charge of the installations. It was during this changeover
period that most of the complaints arose. The ultimate effect was an improvement in combustion
and a consequent lessening of atmospheric pollution.
Poisons.—The names of 79 traders were on the Council's list of persons entitled to sell poisons included
in Part II of the Poisons List (Pharmacy and Poisons Acts, 1852 to 1941), the premises concerned
numbering 95.
Factories.—The number of factories in the Borough is estimated to be not less than 2,000, of which
approximately 75 per cent, have mechanical power and 25 per cent. are without mechanical power.
Since the war the number of factories has shown marked fluctuations from time to time, and next
year it is intended, if the exigencies of other services permit, to carry out a complete re-survey of all
factory premises in St. Marylebone. Following inspections carried out during 1948, conditions were
remedied in 112 instances (want of cleanliness, 51; insufficient or unsuitable sanitary conveniences,
52; overcrowding, 8; defective floor drainage, 1). Outworkers lists were received from 76 employers
in respect of 132 contractors and 988 workpeople.
SECTION D.—HOUSING.
Permanent Schemes.—Work on the construction of the undermentioned estates progressed during
the year and it is anticipated that two blocks of flats and maisonettes on the Barrow Hill Estate will
be available for letting early in 1949 :—
Estate. No. of Flats. Approximate Cost.
Barrow Hill 172 £386.777
Church Street 140 £317,010
312 £703,787
A maternity and child welfare centre is being provided on the Barrow Hill Estate ; the Church Street
Estate will include 18 shops. Both estates will have communal laundry facilities and central hot
water.
Negotiations were commenced during the year for the acquisition of certain freehold interests on
the Townshend Cottages site in preparation for the invitation of tenders for the demolition of properties
on the first section of the estate and the commencement of building operations for the erection of
70 flats on this section during 1949. The approximate cost of acquiring and developing the whole
site and providing for the erection of 221 flats is £578,340.