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28
The trouble experienced in the neighbourhood of the California
Road Depot due to the prevalence of crickets during the
past few years was much less in evidence during the year under
review. I think this must be attributed to the energetic steps
taken in the previous year followed up by modified measures
during 1948. The fact that tipping in this area has now ceased
should render the problem far more easy to control.
A number of complaints were again received in reference to
unsightly conditions produced by the dumping of rubbish on
vacant plots in the area. Where it was considered essential
some plots were attended to. The power to take formal action
in these cases has been very limited and is dealt with only
in section 28, Town Police Clauses Act, 1847, as amended
by section 81 of the Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act,
1907, which enables an Urban Authority only to take action
against any person responsible for depositing the rubbish on
any unfenced ground adjoining or abutting a street. The restrictive
nature of these provisions can easily be realised.
Section 33 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947
gives a local planning authority power to require the proper
maintenance of waste land. It has to be proved, however,
that the amenities of the area are seriously injured in order
to justify formal action against the owner of the land, but the
advantages of proceeding under this section are that it applies
to a wider class of waste land than that for which provision is
made in the Acts of 1847 and 1907 and it is not necessary to
discover the actual person responsible for depositing rubbish
on the land. Vacant land, however, is diminishing and the time
cannot be far away when all will be built upon.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
Your obedient servant,
HENRY TUNBRIDGE,
Sanitary Inspector.