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of the total 8129. This is about the usual number, as 486
complaints were received here in 1870. The small proportion
of nuisances complained of, as compared with those discovered
on inspection, shews the great value of the Sanitary Act, by
which inspection with a view to ascertain the existence of
nuisances was made a duty of Local Boards, the practice
previously being not to inspect or visit any premises unless they
were complained of. In the same table we find recorded the
removal of 113 privy cesspools and the connection of the drains
and closets with the new Sewer laid down by this Board. There
are a very few cesspools still remaining, because sewers have
not in all cases been brought within the distance mentioned in
the Metropolis Local Management Act, and because some
cesspools have been covered over instead of having been filled
up. As the latter come to our knowledge they are at once
filled up, indeed year by year the number of nuisances arising
from defective drainage becomes less, whilst on the other those
from other causes are decidedly on the increase, in consequence
of the great number of new houses which are built every year.
The number of pigsties removed have also been much in excess
of those in 1870, no less than 36 premises on which pigs were
kept so as to be a nuisance, came to our knowledge in 1871,
against 13 in 1870.
The number of notices served was large, 752 having been
served for the prevention of overcrowding; 928 for the disinfection
of premises; 3520 preliminary notices for the removal of
nuisances of all kinds; 1424 peremptory or second notices, and
501 statutory, which are only served after the efforts of the
junior Inspectors have failed to obtain the abatement of the
nuisances. The number of persons summoned to the Police
Courts, viz. 63, was less than in former years, and even this will
probably diminish year by year when owners of property find