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14
The Report contains tables, plans and photographs in illustration of the
author's contentions, and the photographs are particularly strong arguments in
support of his criticisms.
Generally, Mr. Dawes has come to the conclusion, looking at the problem from
the technical standpoint, that an efficient and economical service would be facilitated
if centralised arrangements were provided under a special committee, and in his
view this committee should serve, and be representative of, not only London proper,
but also some areas bordering on London. Any proposals need to be considered
in the light of the prevailing organisation of local government, and also in relation
to other services.
In his foreward the Minister of Health indicates that he has decided to appoint
a representative committee to consider the question of giving effect to the Report,
and, under the circumstances, it would appear that the position of our Council is
that of awaiting the decision of the Ministry of Health as to the action to be taken.
It should interest your Committee to know that in his Report Mr. Dawes
specially mentions four London Boroughs in terms of gratitude for assistance
rendered him in " making additional tests of various kinds," and that Camberwell
is one of the Boroughs to whom this reference is made.
I am, Gentlemen, your obedient Servant,
WILLIAM BELL, Borough Engineer and Surveyor.
Demolition of Buildings By-Laws.
In January, 1930, the Council received the following by-laws
made by the London County Council under Section 53 of the London
County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, with respect to the
demolition of buildings.
The by-laws are enforceable by the Borough Council and the
penalties recovered under the by-laws are payable to the authority
taking the proceedings.
1. Every person shall, in relation to the demolition of a building within the
County of London exclusive of the City of London and the places known as the
Inner Temple and Middle Temple, comply with the following rules:—
(1) He shall cause proper fans to be fixed at the level of the first floor of
the building undergoing demolition and of every other floor where necessary
to prevent nuisance or danger arising from dust or debris. Before any pulling
down is commenced, he shall cause all windows in the external walls from which
sashes and glass have been removed to be hoarded up unless a gantry be
constructed, and the upper portion of such gantry boarded in to the full
height of such building.
For the purpose of this rule "gantry" means a temporary wooden platform,
staging or similar structure erected in connection with the building to
be demolished over the footway or ground adjoining the building.
(2) He shall, so far as practicable, cause the internal partitions of such
building to be pulled down storey by storey before commencing to take down
any of the external walls of the respective storeys.
(3) He shall cause canvas or boarded or other suitable screens or mats to
be placed wherever necessary to prevent nuisance arising from dust.
(4) He shall, so far as is necessary to prevent nuisance arising from dust,
cause water constantly to be used on each floor during the demolition of such
building and all materials to be freely sprinkled with water.
Provided that this by-law shall not apply to any building or part of a building
which shall be more than 20 feet from a public way or public open space and more
than 40 feet from any other building.
2. Every person who shall offend against the foregoing by-law shall be liable
for every such offence to a penalty of five pounds and in the case of a continuing
offence to a further penalty of forty shillings for each day during which the offence