View report page

72
The most important requirement to come into operation next year will
be the provisions of Section 6 which enables the Council to fix the minimum
height of chimneys for new furnaces over a certain size.
Section 9 will make it an offence to obtain solid smoke-producing fuel
for use in a smoke controlled area, or to sell such fuel by retail for delivery
to premises in such an area.
During the year notification of intention to instal furnaces at premises were
received. There were 198 observations made in respect of a number of complaints.
It was necessary to institute legal proceedings against two factory occupiers
for contraventions of the Clean Air Act 1956, relating to the emission of smoke.
During the year 171 applications for grants in respect of adaptations
to fireplaces serving private dwellings were approved at a total cost of
£3,603 17s. 8d. In one case payment of 100% of the approved cost was made.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTS
DRAINAGE
During the year 169 plans were submitted and each one was examined and
necessary amendments made before approval was given.
The continued introduction of new materials and methods in drainage
engineering have caused constant attention to be paid by this Department in
investigating claims made by manufacturers and carrying out various tests, in
order to establish whether or not these products can be accepted in this Borough.
The policy of sealing off all disused drains in order to prevent breeding
of rats has been energetically pursued during the year as a complete insurance
against trouble in the future when new estates have been developed and there
can be no doubt as to the wisdom of adopting such a policy even though it
strains the existing labour force to the utmost.
CLEANSING, DISINFECTION AND DISINFESTATION
The bathing centre for adults, mainly the elderly, is situated in
Millfields Road, E. 5. A few young children also attend this centre but
school children are dealt with at Hackney School Treatment Centre
(see page 48).
A total of 100 adults, and 33 children under 5 years were treated for
scabies and 24 adults, and 12 children under 5 years of age treated for vermin
at the Millfields Centre. Normally two treatments are required to clear a
case of scabies and one for vermin.
Arrangements have also been made with other authorities for the treatment
at the bathing centre of residents in their areas.
The Department is also responsible for the disinfestation of verminous rooms
and articles and a total of 1,075 rooms and 721 articles were treated. In addition
approximately 56 van loads of verminous and other articles were destroyed.
Certain foreign countries prohibit the importation of second-hand clothing
unless a certificate that the articles have been disinfected can be produced.
A charge is made to private firms wishing to have second-hand clothing
disinfected for this purpose.
OFFENSIVE BUSINESS
The dressing of fur skins is carried on at 4 premises and is the only
offensive business in the Borough.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There are none in the Borough.