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19. Smoke Nuisance.—136 observations of smoke nuisance
were made compared with 105 and 133 in the two previous
years. 29 nuisances were discovered, and notices served.
There were no prosecutions. The notice of the Chief Superintendent
of the Eoyal Arsenal was again called to smoke
nuisance from the Arsenal chimneys, one of which was a
special offender. A reply was received that the matter was
receiving attention, but no remedy has yet been applied.
Much smoke nuisance occurred at the Council's own Electric
Light Station in Globe Lane, but this has siuce been remedied.
With a view to seeing what could be done to lessen smoke
production from ordinary fireplaces, trial was made at the
Council's Offices, Maxey Eoad, of a Florence Stove, recommended
as smoke consuming. It was found to be a good and
economical heat producer, but the smoke caused was fully
equal to the ordinary grate with which it was compared.
20. Defective Light.—At 138 houses new windows were
Bupplied, or existing windows enlarged, or light improved in
other ways. Proceedings had to be taken in one of these
cases to compel the owner to improve the lighting of a basement,
and as this is perhaps the first case of its kind decided,
a full account of the prosecution is given in Appendix III.
21. In my last report I showed how inadequate are the
requirements of the London Building Act in ensuring adequate
lighting. The Act allows of back additions which exclude all
sunlight, and make the back rooms of a house quite dark.
22. Want of Proper and Sufficient Water Closets.—Several
houses were found which did not comply with the L.C.C. Byelaw
as to having at least one water closet for every 12 persons.
Where the number of persons in a house with only one closet