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In connection with the above, it may be mentioned that 20 old brick drains were
removed, and in 48 cases nuisances and annoyance caused through rats infesting premises
were dealt with. As a rule, the presence of rats indicates defects in connection
with drains or sewers. In 146 instances water was restored to premises, the supplies
having been cut off for various reasons, and on 159 premises leaking water pipes were
repaired. Urinals were constructed on nine premises, and on 32 they were cleansed and
repaired. Foul accumulations of various descriptions, 96 in number, were removed on
requisition by the sanitary officers. On 16 premises animals were found to be kept
under conditions causing nuisances. They were chiefly horses improperly stabled. In
60 instances stables were properly paved under the supervision of the inspectors.
The summary of the sanitary work given above includes that done in connection
with the drains and sanitary arrangements of new buildings, and also the work carried
out in pursuance of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901.
In the great majority of instances the preliminary notices setting forth the insanitary
conditions to be remedied were complied with by the parties responsible. In 257
cases, however, it was necessary to specially direct the Health Committee's attention
to the circumstances connected with them and in these statutory notices under the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, were served by the sanitary authority with a view to
enforcing the abatement of the nuisances existing. For non-compliance with the requirements
of the sanitary authority in five instances police-court proceedings were
taken under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and bye-laws made thereunder.
The results briefly were as follows:—
Laburnum Street, No. 92.—The owner was summoned by Inspector Firth Sn consequence
of not complying with the requirement of a statutory notice to remove an obstruction
in the drain on the premises. The obstruction having been removed before
the case came on for hearing, the summons was withdrawn, 3s. costs being paid by
the defendant.
Essex Street, No. 1.—The owner was summoned by Inspector Clements for not complying
with the requirement of a statutory notice to provide additional water closet
accommodation. The summons was withdrawn, as the owner was taking steps to provide
the additional accommodation when the case came before the magistrate, the defendant
paying 2s. costs.
Rufus Street, No1. 3.—The stables and the drainage arrangements on these premises
were in such a state as to be a nuisance. A summons was taken out by Inspector
Langstonie, and the magistrate made an order for the necessary work to be carried
out in fourteen! days. There was no order as to costs.
Essex Street, Nos. 35, 37, 39, and 41.—Police-court proceedings were taken by the
Town Clerk under the bye-laws as to houses let in lodgings, the landlord having
neglected to make the returns required by the bye-laws for registration thereunder.