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52
NUISANCES.
On the 25th March, I received a complaint relating to the condition of a barge
laden with paper and rags, sunk in Puddle Dock. I visited the locality with the
Sanitary Inspector on the 27th March. There was no nuisance, but with a view to
preventing the possibility of one arising, the barge was unloaded into another craft and
the cargo removed from the Dock.
Complaints were made with reference to dust arising from the coal wharf inside
Poplar Dock, facing the London County Council Buildings, Prestons Road, Poplar.
At this part of the dock barges are loaded from trucks, the practice being to raise the
truck some 10 to 11 feet and then tilting it, to discharge the contents at one operation
into the barge.
In the course of this process much inconvenience is experienced owing to the
blowing of coal dust into the dwellings.
The facts were laid before Mr. Solicitor, but although there might be a nuisance, it
was not one Avhich could be dealt with summarily under the Public Health (London)
Act, 1891.
The s.s. " Italian Prince " brought as part cargo a quantity of bones ; these were
stowed under the poop adjoining the store room which was not effectively cut off from
the space in which the bones were stowed. This space was swarming with maggots and
beetles, and on examination the sugar and biscuits forming part of the stores for use of
the crew were found to contain these creatures. The stores were accordingly destroyed.
RIVER THAMES.
On the 1st January, a large quantity of oil was noticed floating on the surface of
the water in the vicinity of Blackwall. On investigation it was traced to an oil lighter
which was moored at Folly House Buoys, which craft was being cleaned out at the
time. The matter was brought to the notice of the owners and persons in charge of
the lighter.
On the 28th March, effluent was observed being discharged from the Crossness
Outfall Sewage Works. It was young flood at the time, and the effluent formed a thick
brownish scum which gave off a strong odour.
On the 29th and 30th April, a similar discharge was observed.
On the 27th May, a discharge was observed from the Northern Outfall Sewage
Works at Barking on the young flood.
The effluent from the outfall at Barking and Crossness is kept under observation
by the Port of London Authority, and I understand analyses of the effluent are
regularly made.