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eleven premises remained to be dealt with from the point of view of absence of accommodation for
women. Of these eleven, plans embodying the necessary provision have been approved in six instances
and two public houses are to be completely re-built.
Glass Washing.—By the end of 1951 all but twelve of the public houses had a hot water supply for
glass-washing purposes. It is gratifying to be able to report that, as a result of representations made
to brewers and licensees, running hot water has now been provided in all licensed premises in the
Borough.
Public Conveniences.—The usual supervision was exercised over the eighteen public sanitary
conveniences (13 for men, 5 for women). The free washing facilities, with paper towels and liquid
soap, brought into operation in all conveniences in the Borough in May, 1949, to encourage personal
hygiene and prevent the spread of disease, still proved to be extremely popular with the public.
On the occasion of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday, the 2nd June,
1953, when the procession passed along Oxford Street, which forms the southern boundary of the
Borough, the Council, after conferring with the police and other authorities, set up temporary
conveniences at Great Cumberland Place Car Park (for men and women); in Cavendish Square (for
men and women); and in Barrett Street (for women only). Each unit comprised a series of cubicles
containing twelve chemical closets for men and/or twelve for women, the whole contained in a frame
tent surrounded by canvas screening. Washing facilities, with paper towels, tablet soap and hot water,
were also provided. No charge was made for the use of the temporary conveniences. In addition, the
permanent accommodation at Oxford Circus Convenience (for men and women) and at Barrett Street
Convenience (for men only) was available. All these conveniences were open day and night from
mid-day, Monday, 1st June, 1953, until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, 3rd June, 1953, and in view of the
large crowds coming to the West End to see the decorations and floodlighting, the permanent
conveniences remained open later in the evening before and after this three-day period. From reports
received from various sources there seemed to be no doubt that the arrangements made were adequate
and satisfactory and generally appreciated by the public.
A new public convenience (for men and women) on the Wellington Place frontage of the St. John's
Wood Burial Ground was opened on the 24th June, 1953. This coincided with the start of the Test
Match at Lord's Cricket Ground close by and, such was the demand on the accommodation, it was
necessary to keep the convenience open continuously during the period of the match to meet the
needs of the large numbers of spectators who, throughout the night, joined the queue to obtain
admission to the ground. Apart from these special occasions, there is already evidence that the
facilities are welcomed by people using the Recreation Ground, more especially the women and
children, and by the occupants of vehicles of all kinds passing along the adjacent main road to and
from the north.
At the close of the year negotiations were proceeding for the erection of new conveniences in
Paddington Street.
Public Cleansing and Salvage.—The Director of Public Cleansing has kindly provided the following
information on these services.
The materials dealt with in 1953 were : house and trade refuse, 37,538 tons; street sweepings and
gully slop, 2,681 tons; salvaged materials (including kitchen waste) 1,945 tons. The sum of £9,932
was obtained from the sale of salvaged materials. In addition, £1,039 was received for the removal
of trade refuse and green offal and for the cleansing of petrol interceptors.
During the year orders were placed for one breakdown van, and for two additional vehicles for the
collection of refuse from the increasing number of portable containers installed at premises in the
Borough.
Dustbins.—Following conflicting decisions reached in the Courts in 1947 and 1948 on the question
whether the owner or occupier of premises was liable to provide a dustbin, some boroughs experienced
difficulty in securing the provision of dustbins under section 105 of the Public Health (London) Act,
1936, as amended by the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1951. As a result, the
Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee proposed that an effort should be made to obtain
another amendment of the law to place the liability to provide, maintain and replace a dustbin
definitely on the owner of the premises, and that in cases where there was some contractual obligation
on the part of the tenant to do so the owner be authorised to recover the cost from the tenant. The
Standing Joint Committee were informed that the Council were in favour of the suggested further
amendment, subject to the owners being empowered to require tenants to contribute towards the cost.
The Standing Joint Committee also considered the question of the provision and maintenance of
dustbins by sanitary authorities. Section 67 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1939, empowers borough councils to provide this service but it is not certain whether or not a charge