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in this country almost half as many cremations take place as earth burials. Approximately half a
million people die in Great Britain each year and to bury those who are not cremated requires annually
an average of 400 acres of land. In addition, the maintenance of cemeteries is said to cost the
ratepayers a total of nearly two million pounds a year. Crematoria on the other hand are for the most
part financially self-supporting.
Dog Nuisance.
The Council's bye-law dealing with this nuisance provides that:—
"No person being in charge of a dog in any street or public place and having the dog on a lead
shall allow or permit such dog to deposit its excrement upon the public footway."
Although it has been shown that dogs can carry and excrete germs capable of producing illness
in man, cases of human disease can seldom be positively related to infection from this source. However,
there are many obvious objections to fouling of the footway by dog excreta and not least amongst
them is the attraction to flies and blowflies with the consequent hazards to health.
During the year, contraventions reported by the Streets Nuisance Inspector and the Police resulted
in eleven summonses. In eight of these convictions were secured and penalties imposed. In two cases
the summonses were not served and another was adjourned "sine die "—the defendant having left
England.
Street Photographers.
A local bye-law, made by the Council under section 146 of the London Government Act, 1924,
came into operation on the 1st August, 1952, prohibiting the importuning by a street photographer
of any person, in certain prescribed streets or public places, for the purpose of taking or selling any
photograph. An offender against the bye-law is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding
£5. As the administration and enforcement of most other "good rule and government" bye-laws
have been referred to the Public Health Committee, a similar course was followed in regard to this
bye-law, more particularly as the officers of the Department, including the Streets Nuisance Inspector,
are continually about the streets.
During 1959 the Council took out eleven summonses and, apart from two which were not served,
obtained convictions in each case. Fines and costs amounting to £24 15s. 6d. were imposed.
SECTION D.—HOUSING
Permanent Estates.