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Each power station is provided with one or more tall brick chimney shafts and also several
smaller ones constructed of iron. Streams of brown smoke issue from all of the shafts continuously,
and occasionally black smoke.
Whenever black smoke is observed by an Inspector, he calls either at the factory or communicates
over the telephone to the Engineer, drawing attention to the nuisance. An official letter
follows, and the nuisance is generally forthwith abated.
No necessity has arisen during the year for legal action to be taken in connection with smoke
nuisances.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—In 1920, the Council had under consideration the advisability
of adopting the Model Byelaws issued by the Ministry of Health relating to Houses Let in Lodgings.
Draft Byelaws were prepared and considered by the Health Committee. Correspondence with the
Ministry of Health failed to obtain a suitable interpretation of the definition of the words " Lodging
House," with the result that the Council did not proceed further in the matter. It is, however,
important that these Byelaws, at an early date, should be made operative in Willesden.
Offensive Trades.—With the exception of Rag and Bone Dealers, there are no other offensive
trades in Willesden scheduled under section 112, Public Health Act, 1875, as amended by section 51,
Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1907.
At the latter part of the year, two applications were received by the Council for permission to
establish the business of a Rag and Bone Dealer at 28, Brett Road, and on vacant land at the corner
of Villiers Road.
A Sub-Committee of the Health Committee viewed the applicant's premises and afterwards,
by request, interviewed both applicants. In each instance the application was refused.
There are 12 Rag and Bone Dealers in the district, these are all kept under frequent inspection,
and in two instances Notices were served requiring strict observance of the Byelaws. With these
exceptions the businesses were carried on without nuisances arising.
Underground Sleeping Rooms.—The Regulations of the Council governing Underground
Sleeping Rooms [Housing Act, 1925, sec. 18 (1)] were not during the year put actively into operation.
In order satisfactorily to carry out the work required under the Regulations it is an indispensable
condition that the rooms be vacated.
Owing, however, to the shortage of housing accommodation, more especially for the class inhabiting
this type of dwelling, it was found practically impossible to get the people out, with the result
that in no instance during the year were the Regulations enforced.
HOUSING.
The housing conditions in Willesden vary greatly. In some parts of the area the houses are
high class, but in other parts really bad housing conditions prevail. In South Kilburn, for example,
houses are occupied by several families. Originally these houses were constructed for occupation
by one family and have not been specially adapted for use by several families. The result is that
they are not provided with the sanitary accommodation, including sinks, water closets and washing
arrangements, necessary or suitable for four, five or more families. Fortunately for the health of the
inmates of these houses, the rooms are large and airy. In other parts of the area better housing conditions
prevail, but owing to the overcrowded state of many properties and the consequent considerable
usage they get, constant visits by the Sanitary Inspectors are necessary to maintain them in a fair
state of repair.
Extent of Shortage or Excess of Houses.
In Willesden at the present time there is a serious shortage of houses, more especially of that
type of house suitable for occupation by the labouring or artisan class of the population.
During the last 12 years there has not been a single house erected in Willesden with accommodation
suitable for, and at a rent which a labouring man with a wife and several children can afford to
pay, with the result that year by year the existing available housing accommodation gets less and less
with all of its attendant evil results.
Measures Taken or Contemplated to Meet any Shortage.
The following table gives the total number of houses erected in the district since the year 1921.