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The house in Watson's place was closed in consequence of the service of a
statutory notice under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the premises being
generally very dirty and dilapidated. The necessary work of putting the house into a
habitable condition was carried out under the supervision of inspector Quelch.
With respect to Smart's Buildings, these consist of four-roomed cottages situate
in a yard off the east side of the narrow end of Iloxton Street. They came under
observation in consequence of the occurrence of several cases of enteric fever in
Nos. 3 and 4, which have already been referred to. Their condition was found to be
such as to require a great deal of attention, and they were reported to the Public
Health Committee and statutory notices with respect to the drains, yards, w.c. accommodation,
dilapidations and cleansing were served under the Public Health Act. The
cottages were thereupon closed, and extensive alterations and improvements are now in
course of execution under the supervision of the chief sanitary inspctor, and when
completed there will have been a very excellent piece of work carried out in connection
with these dwellings.
SMOKE NUISANCE.
During the year the shafts and chimneys, other than those of private dwellinghouses
were kept under observation by inspector Quelch, who is especially charged
with this duty, with a view to the necessary steps being taken for the prevention of the
emission of black smoke. Numerous complaints were received from different sources,
including some 67 from the London County Council, referring to shafts and chimneys
on 23 premises. In all cases the existence of the nuisances was brought to the notice
of the persons responsible, and, as a rule, with beneficial results for the time being.
There was, however, a tendency to recurrence of the nuisances in several cases, and
notwithstanding the warnings which were given, it was found necessary in 21 instances
to report the facts of the cases to the Public Health Committee, by whose orders
statutory notices, under the Public Health Act, were served for the abatement of the
nuisances. In most cases the notices had the desired effect, but it was necessary to
take proceedings before a magistrate in nine instances:—
The proprietor of a wholesale stationer's business at No. 90, Crondall Street, was
fined £10.
The proprietor of certain drug mills, in the New North Eoad, was fined £10 on one
occasion, and £5 with 2s. costs on a subsequent occasion.
The contractors to the Great Northern and City Eailway Company, at Poole
Street, were fined £2 with £1 costs, and for a subsequent offence £5 with 2s. costs.
The London and North Western Eailway Company for offence in connection with
their shaft, in Appold Street, were fined £10 with £2 2s. costs, and on a repetition of
the offence an order to abate the nuisance was made with 2 guineas costs.
The proprietors of certain works at No. 26, Clifton Street, were fined £10 with 2s.
costs, and Lipton Ltd., Old Street, £10 with 2s. costs.
I think it may be claimed that the action taken by the Sanitary Authority during
the year has resulted in an appreciable improvement with respect to the emission of
black smoke in Shoreditch.