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Waterways.
The streams which flow through the Borough become polluted
from various sources, and give rise to complaint. I am happy to
report that we have been able to track down and eliminate some sources
of pollution, but it is possible that nuisance will continue to arise from
this cause, and every care will be shown in dealing with the matter.
Noise Nuisances.
Complaints arise from noise nuisances and effluvia from business
premises. Again, wherever possible, remedial action is taken. The
answer, in many cases, is that nuisance to one party or another cannot
entirely be eliminated where residences and business premises art
closely related, sometimes in the same building.
Smoke Nuisances.
A recurring complaint related to the smoke and grit issuing from
the chimney of the London Electricity Board's Power Station in Churchfields
Road. Following the service of a Statutory Notice under The
provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936, the position considerably
improved, although isolated instances of heavy smoke and grit emission
still occurred. The greatest co-operation was received from the staff
of the Station, and they kept regular observation and records in an
effort to minimise the nuisance, which undoubtedly is due largely to
the inferior quality of the fuel supplied.
The Superintendent of the station personally interviewed any complainant
known to him, and offered to show any interested persons
over the Station to learn the steps which had been taken to deal with the
matter. It is a sound defence, in law, to show that the best practicable
means have been taken to deal with a nuisance arising from smoke
emission, and this defence is now, I am sure, available to the London
Electricity Board. The point, once again, is that there exists an
industrial undertaking in a residential area.
Disinfection.
The Council undertakes, free of charge, the disinfection of rooms,
articles of clothing, and bedding after cases of Tuberculosis, and, occasionally,
other infectious diseases. Many requests, however, are received
from residents for the steam disinfection of bedding, etc., after its
use in cases of illness other than infectious disease. The requests are met
but a charge is made for this service. During 1950 one hundred and
twenty-six such applications were received, and accounts for £118 10s. 0d.
were rendered by the Department. The steam disinfector is situated
in Churchfields Road. The service includes the collection and return
of all articles dealt with.
Ninety-eight library books were collected from houses Where
infectious disease had occurred, were disinfected, and returned
library of origin.
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