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39
Properties not Possessing Main Drainage Systems.
There are still some domestic properties in Beckenham not
connected to the main sewerage system. In the majority of these
instances the properties drain to cesspools; there are, however, a
few dwellings where earth closet sanitation only is available. The
Council gave consideration to three such properties, where connection
to main sewerage is possible, and agreed that appropriate action
should be taken. The matter is receiving the attention of the Council's
officers.
So far as cesspool drainage is concerned there are twenty-one
cesspools in the area which drain, in all, forty-four properties.
Of these forty-four properties, thirty-three are domestic dwellings,
and eleven are sports pavilions. Of the thirty-three domestic
dwellings, twenty-three drain entirely to cesspools, i.e. water closets,
sinks, etc., and ten only partially, i.e. sinks only. In the case of
the sports pavilions, all drain entirely to cesspools.
In the absence of any direction from the Ministry of Health, there
appears to be no liability on the part of an Authority to cleanse cesspools,
although they are empowered so to do by Section 72 of the
Public Health Act, 1936. In accordance with Section 74 (i) of the
same Act, an Authority may make such charge, if any, as they think
fit for cleansing cesspools.
Moveable Dwellings.
Five families occupied moveable dwellings under licence from the
Council during 1947. No nuisances arose from these occupancies.
Four of the families used chemical closet sanitation, which, when
properly used, is entirely satisfactory, and their water supply is
obtained from a stand-pipe connected to Metropolitan Water Board
mains. This water supply was examined by the County Pathologist
on one occasion during the year and reported as " good watei."
The fifth family occupied a caravan on extensive land adjacent to a
dwelling house, wherein was provided, for their separate use, lavatory
and washing accommodation connected to the main sewerage system.
Legal Proceedings.
Proceedings were taken against an owner of property for failure to
comply with a Nuisance Order, which had been made by the Court in
previous proceedings in 1946, and the defendant was fined the maximum
penalty of £5. The owner subsequently complied with the
Order.
A Nuisance Order, subsequently complied with, was obtained
against an owner of property after he had failed to comply with a
Statutory Notice issued by the Council. A fine of £2 2s. Od., plus
five shillings and sixpence costs, was imposed by the Bench.
Statutory Notices served under Section 39 of the Public Health
Act, 1936, in respect of defective drainage in two properties, were
not complied with. Exercising its powers, the Council executed the
work and successful legal proceedings were instituted for the recovery
of the cost of works from the persons on whom the Notices were
served.