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to the Department is given by the Tottenham Corporation Act, 1952,
which provides that where two or more parts of a building are
occupied as dwellings by separate families, each part shall be
treated as a separate building.
During the year there was one appeal by an owner against the
requirements of a notice under section 45 of the Public Health Act
for the repair of a water closet. The appeal was dismissed.
Atmospheric Pollution
Cases of atmospheric pollution by factory chimneys continue
to occupy the attention of the department. The most consistent
offenders are still the factories where the fuel is wood waste.
Intermittent complaints arise from time to time which involve
plants burning coal.
In our experience the cause is usually to be found in the
fact that the normal output of the plant is not enough to meet the
demand. Efforts to meet the increased demand result in the plant
being overworked or forced and, whilst some increase in output is
obtained,a resultingloss in combustion efficiency is evident by the
emission from the chimney.
In order to minimise the smoke nuisance in any future redevelopment
of the Borough, powers for the adoption of positive
measures for preventing atmospheric pollution are now contained in
the Tottenham Corporation Act, 1952. This provides for:-
(i) Prior approval by the Corporation of solid fuel burning
appliances; and
(ii) The setting up of certain specified areas as Smokeless
Zones.
Housing
The Council's responsibilities as a Housing Authority are
many and varied and the Public Health Department continues to make
its contribution with increasing endeavour.
While the provision of new housing accommodation is still
much needed, the repair of unfit and insanitary houses is of paramount
importance if the health and well-being of the community
is to be maintained.
As has been pointed out in my previous Annual Reports, some