View report page

111
Smoke Abatement
During the year 46 observations of factory chimneys were
made; in 5 cases contraventions of the Council's bye-laws limiting
black smoke emission to two minutes in half-an-hour were observed
and 5 statutory notices were served. Thirteen half-hourly observations
were made of railway engines, and in consequence one
railway company was communicated with upon the existence of a
smoke nuisance.
Eradication of Bed Bugs
The number of Council houses disinfested during the year by
the Borough Engineer's Department for the Housing Manager
was 28.
In connection with other houses all infestations are not recorded,
the incidence varying in localities, but in all instances
affected occupiers are advised on measures of disinfestation and
of their legal obligations. Where houses become occupied and
new tenants complain of infestation, owners are approached by
the Department with an estimate of the cost of disinfesting. In
47 cases disinfestation was carried out by the Department, and
the method employed generally was fumigation with sulphur
dioxide (Concentration of 5% vol.), and supplementary spraying
with a contact insecticide. The cost of the work is paid by the
house owner, and infrequently by the occupier. The costs recoverable
for work during the year amounted to approximately £43.
By arrangement with the Housing Manager, inspection of houses
and contents of prospective tenants of Council houses is carried
out, and where necessary fumigation of household effects with
hydrogen cyanide is carried out concurrently with removal. A
contractor is employed for cyanide fumigation.
Housing
(a) Overcrowding.
In the matter of housing the year proved one of unprecedented
activity. Prolonged consideration of the overcrowding
survey delayed its commencement until the end of January.
Carried out within a month of commencement the primary survey