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117
House-to-house inspections are made in selected areas, which
explains the high percentage of defects.
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts, 1920-23.
19 applications were made by tenants for certificates as provided
by Section 2 of the 1923 Act, entitling the occupier to a
reduction of rent equal to the amount provided by the Act for
repairs.
2 certificates were issued. In 17 instances certificates were
suspended and a schedule of dilapidations forwarded to the owner,
and in most cases the work required has been carried out.
By means of the Rent (Restrictions) Act, one has the advantage
of being able to deal with defects which are outside the
purview of the Public Health Acts.
Smoke Abatement.
Observations of shafts were made with reference to the
emission of smoke, and in the case of one factory notices were
served and the nuisance has been mitigated. In no instance was
it of such a character as to warrant the institution of legal proceedings.
Offensive Trades.
There are only two small traders in the Borough, in the
Langdon Crescent area, who carry on businesses which come
within the designation of offensive trades. These works are well
conducted and there have been no complaints.
I have previously drawn attention to the collection of offal
from butchers' and fish shops, especially in the summer, when
offensive odours are emitted from the collecting vehicles, which
could be reduced to a minimum if suitable vessels and vans were
used. There is yet much room for improvement in this direction,
but it is a matter for co-operation with adjoining districts, as the
contracting collectors work in several areas.
Disinfection.
1,504 premises were disinfected—897 for infectious disease,
467 for tuberculosis, and 140 for other causes. The steam disinfector
at the Isolation Hospital is used for bedding and other
articles requiring disinfection.