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34
Number of urinals provided, repaired, cleansed or improved
11
Number of dung pits provided, repaired or improved 4
Number of other nuisances abated 28
River Crane :
During the Summer, repeated complaints were received with
regard to the condition of the River Crane, although the greater
part of the trouble arose just outside our district in the Staines
Rural area. By arrangement with Dr. Urquhart, the Medical
Officer of Health of the Staines Rural District, I took a series of
photographs of the river, and samples of the water at different
places.
The river at the time the photographs were taken was in places
covered from bank to bank with a film of oil which would certainly
entirely do away with any aeration of the river. The bays in the
backwater of Cranford Park on the western shore were covered with
a thick scum, much like that 'which is found on the top of a septic
tank. In addition the banks showed traces of oil as did the mud
which was cleared out from the bed of the river. The smell from
the river during the hot weather was so bad that on one occasion,
when a Fete was being held in an adjoining field, the Band had to
be moved away owing to the noisome smell. One of the farmers
on the eastern side of the bank complained bitterly of the condition,
owing to the fact that his cattle, apart from refusing to drink, used
to get into the water and cover themselves with the oily scum, which
definitely interfered with the milking.