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Railways.—Working in co-operation with the Council's Rat Officer, the officials of the
Metropolitan Railway Company and the Great Western Railway Company heavily baited
the railway embankments, permanent way, sheds, dumps, stores and spare ground in and
around the Borough. Gas was also successfully used in numbers of rat holes. The coal
sidings in Warwick Road were inspected, but no serious complaints were reported. The
Great Western Railway Company, who control most of these sidings, supply traps, and
these appear to be adequate for the purpose.
Wharves.—The Council's wharf in Kensal Road was carefully inspected, but no trace of
rats was found. Dogs are kept in the arches where the barges are loaded and apparently
keep the place clear of rats. The Council's wharf at Lots Road, Chelsea, was also inspected,
and here again no trace of rats was found. The jetty at this wharf was concreted some two
years ago, and this would appear to have dealt successfully with the rat problem.
Cinemas.—By special arrangements with the proprietors of several cinemas in the
Borough, lantern-slides were shown at all performances during Rat Week informing the public
that advice and assistance in connection with rat extermination can be obtained on application
to the Public Health Department.
VERMINOUS PREMISES CLEANSED.
Four hundred and seven verminous houses were cleansed during the year by landlords in
response to notices served under the powers conferred by the London County Council (Genera/
Powers) Act, 1922. The Council's Rat Officer, in addition to his duties under the Rats and Mice
(Destruction) Act, carries out disinfection of verminous premises in certain cases. The following is
a summary of his activities in this direction: —
Number of premises visited 30
Number of rooms sprayed with Solution " D" 73
FACTORIES AND WORKSHOPS,
Section 132 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, requires the Medical Officer of Health of
every District Council to report specifically on the workshops and workplaces in his district, and
to send a copy of his annual report to the Secretary of State. The total number of workshops on
the Council's register is 1012. Workshops where men only are employed are placed under the
supervision of the Sanitary Inspector in whose district they are situated ; workshops where women
are employed are inspected by the Women Health Officers, who also visit the premises of homeworkers
and inspect the sanitary conveniences reserved for women in railway stations and other
public places in Kensington. The factories in the Borough number 251, and are inspected and
regulated by H.M. Inspectors under the Home Office. The Sanitary Inspectors of the Borough
Cou ncil are, however, required to ensure the provision of suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences
in factories as well as in workshops.
Factories and Workshops where men are employed,—At the end of the year, the registered
workshops at which men were employed numbered 437. The factories at which men were
employed numbered 190, It should be noted that by Section 157, the provisions of the Factory
and Workshop Act, 1901, relating to temperature, drainage of floors, the exhibition of abstracts and
certain other matters do not apply to workshops conducted on the system of not employing
children, young persons or women. In London, both in factories and workshops, the provision
of sanitary conveniences is regulated by Section 38 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, the
standard adopted being that required by the Sanitary Accommodation Order of 4th February,
1903. The following table shows the various trades and occupations carried on in registered
workshops and factories where men are employed :—