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42
Four persons living in houses registered under the Bye-laws
were prosecuted for allowing overcrowding as defined by the
Bye-laws, and convicted in each case. Fines from 5s. to 40s.
were inflicted.
12. Smoke Nuisance.—Much work has been done in the
prevention of smoke nuisance. 148 observations were made of
smoking chimneys and proceedings were taken in 21 cases.
17 convictions were obtained and fines inflicted from 5 guineas
downwards; the remaining 4 cases were withdrawn at the
Magistrate's suggestion.
A large number of the observations were made on the Royal
Arsenal chimneys, some of which were found to smoke for the
best part of an hour without intermission. A copy of the
observations with a letter calling attention to the nuisance
caused was sent to the Chief Superintendent, the War Office,
and Local Government Board. There has been some improvement,
but it is still true to say that H.M. Government is
responsible for more smoke nuisance in this Borough than all
the private works put together.
13. Cooper's Pond, Eltham, which had been a nuisance for
many years, was finally disposed of by filling up and draining
surface water into an adjoining field.
Offensive state of the Thames.—Repeated complaints of the
nuisance caused by the foul state of the river were received
from July to October, and I reported that in my opioion this
could only be due to untreated sewage being allowed to enter
the river at the main outfalls. Representations were made to
the County Council and after lasting several weeks the nuisance
was abated. I believe the state of the river has not been so
bad for many years.