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Further examinations of the private well waters from the ten borings still in use were made by the
Public Analyst and the Council's Bacteriologist, and these indicated that since the last survey was
carried out in 1947 at the request of the Ministry of Health there has been no appreciable change.
The reports generally for 1950 were satisfactory and no pathogenic contamination was found.
Nine certificates relating to the provision of a proper and sufficient supply of water in dwellinghouses
were granted under section 95 (2) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, in respect of
newly erected or rebuilt blocks of flats.
Drainage.—The number of plans approved was 308, of which 20 related to new buildings, including
three Borough Council housing schemes, with a total of 145 flats. The drainage inspectors made a
total of 3,182 visits.
Combined Drainage.—Five orders under seal for combined drainage were issued.
Building Licences.—During the year 272 applications for building licences were referred to the
Department by the Borough Engineer for observations in relation to proposals concerning drainage,
ventilation and underground rooms, and also in cases where work had been called for by sanitary
notices.
Public Conveniences.—The usual supervision was exercised over the 15 public sanitary conveniences
(11 for men, 4 for women). The only major work carried out during the year was the laying of a
new tiled floor in the women's convenience at Oxford Circus.
The free washing facilities, with paper towels and liquid soap, brought into operation in all public
conveniences in the Borough in May, 1949, to encourage personal hygiene and prevent the spread
of disease, have proved extremely popular and the public continue to take full advantage of them.
The need for further public conveniences in St. Marylebone was again reviewed by the Public
Health Committee who, although approving in principle the provision of additional accommodation
in various parts of the Borough, realised that while the present building restrictions are in force
it will be some considerable time before existing facilities can be improved and extended.
Public Cleansing and Salvage.—The Director of Public Cleansing has kindly provided the following
information on these services.
The materials dealt with during 1950 were: house and trade refuse, 35,728 tons; street sweepings
and gully slop, 2,753 tons; salvaged materials, 4,125 tons, including 1,428 tons of kitchen waste for
pig and poultry feeding collected from 550 bins placed at intervals in the streets for the reception
of this material. A sum of £9,737 was obtained from the sale of salvaged materials. In addition,
£833 was received for the removal of trade refuse, green offal and the cleansing of petrol interceptors.
As from the 1st August, 1950, the Council ceased disposing of refuse at Yeading, Middlesex, and
arrangements were made for house and trade refuse to be delivered to the Westminster City Council
Disposal Depot, Grosvenor Dock, S.W.I, and street sweepings to Mr. F. W. Surridge's Wharf at
Nine Elms Lane.
Twenty 'Paragon' and four 'Paladin' refuse collection vehicles and 290 galvanised refuse
containers were purchased and put into commission during the year. Orders were also placed for
two gully-emptying machines fitted with power-operated street washing apparatus, four low loading
vehicles, 50 orderly barrows and 60 sand and ballast bins.
Shops.—Inspections under the Shops Acts numbered 441. In three instances service of notice was
necessary. The Shops Act, 1950, a consolidating measure, came into operation on the 1st October,
1950.
Diseased or Infirm Persons.—On two separate occasions it was necessary to resort to action under
section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948. Spinsters, aged 74 and 87 years, living alone in
insanitary conditions, were found to be infirm, physically incapacitated and unable to look after
themselves. The respective relatives and friends were approached but stated they could not render
any assistance. It therefore became imperative in the interests of these women and for preventing
injury to the health of, or serious nuisance to, other persons, that removal to hospital should be
arranged. As they refused to leave their room voluntarily, application to Court was made and the
period named in the orders issued was three months. Both, however, died within a month of admission
to Paddington Hospital.
Burial or Cremation of the Dead.—Under the provisions of section 50 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, it is a duty of the Council to cause to be buried or cremated the body of any person who has
died or been found dead in the Borough where no other suitable arrangements for disposal of the
body have been or are being made. The arrangements set up when the section became operative