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the sewage of this area to drain into one of their sewers. Fortunately, however,
the Council were able to get the proposed building land scheduled as part of London's
Green Belt, and the sewerage problem in this area becomes much simpler as it
only involves the construction of a sewer for dealing with the existing houses.
The cesspools in Eltham are isolated, and are only to be found in outlying parts of
the district. With these exceptions every house in the Borough is connected with
the water carriage system.
Drainage.—New drainage and extensive reconstruction of old systems is
supervised by the Borough Engineer. In all other instances the sanitary inspectors
are responsible. During the year 59 complaints were received with regard to the
construction of combined drains. On investigation it was found that 308 houses
in all were affected, and in every case the drains were cleared. In all the systems
except 5 the obstruction was of a temporary nature. In 22 instances choked interceptors
were found. Costs recovered from owners amounted to £8 13s. 6d. In
the following 5 instances reconstruction was necessary, and the work was carried
out by the owners after service of notices:—
4 and 5, Elizabeth Terrace, Eltham.
13 and 15, Court Yard, Eltham.
1 and 2, Red Lion Cottages and "Heath Cottage," Shooters Hill.
104 and 105, Woolwich High Street.
33 and 35, Wilmount Street.
Action Taken with regard to Smoke Abatement.—140 observations were made
of chimney shafts, and 7 notices were served. The number of offences discovered
was 11, warning letters being sent in each case. No legal proceedings were instituted.
At the beginning of the year the London County Council made the following
By-law:—
"The emission of black smoke for a period of two minutes in the aggregate
within any continuous period of 30 minutes from any one chimney or a
building, other than a private dwelling house, shall, until the contrary is
proved, be presumed to be a nuisance liable to be dealt with summarily
under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891."
Owing to objections by the Federation of British Industries, the National Union
of Manufacturers, and one Metropolitan Borough Council, the By-law was amended
to read as follows:—
"The emission of black smoke for a period of three minutes, and after five
years from the date of confirmation of this By-law for a period of two
minutes in the aggregate within any continuous period of thirty minutes
from any one chimney of a building other than a private dwelling house,
shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to be a nuisance liable
to be dealt with summarily under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.