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Van Dwellers.
The number of these is gradually diminishing year bv year; at the
present time practically all available land has been taken over for building
purposes.
Offensive Trades.
There are 30 such businesses, comprising one gut scraper, one fat
boiler and 28 fish fryers and fish curers in the district.
One person was fined 40s. and five guineas costs for carrying on the
trade of a "fish curer" contrarv to the provisions of the Public Health
Acts.
Pig-Keeping.
There are now very few pig-keepers; there is a certain number
of pigs on the Council's allotments at Weir Hall, but they are well
beyond the statutory distance from occupied houses.
The other small piggeries are dotted about the area and are periodically
visited by the District Inspectors.
Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919.
This matter was fully commented upon in the report for 1932. The
Act throws the responsibility on the occupier of the premises infested,
but they do not always realise this.
The Inspectors are always ready to investigate the matter by testing
drains, etc.; also to give advice and barium biscuits.
The work of the Inspectors of rat destruction, appointed by the
Middlesex County Council, is to a large extent advisory and to coordinate
the action of householders and land-owners when necessary.
Smoke Abatement.
During the year 127 smoke observations were made. On three
occasions, contravention of the bye-laws occurred on the part of three
separate factories; cautionary letters were written, and there has been
no subsequent offence.
Overcrowding.
Thirty-three cases of overcrowding in houses or flats were reported
to the Committee during the course of the year; these cases were referred
to the Housing Committee for their information.
With the advent of cheaper houses in the neighbourhood, overcrowding
should be diminished. For instance, on one estate in Edmonton,
freehold houses can be had for ,£23, and repayments 13s. 6d. weekly;
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