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Public Cleansing. The cleansing of streets and the collection and disposal of refuse are carried
out under the control of the Borough Engineer. Refuse is disposed of by controlled tipping and the collection
of house refuse is carried out weekly. Through action by the Health Department 128 new dustbins
were provided during 1948.
The following details of the salvage of waste materials have been provided by the Borough
Engineer:—
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
Paper (tons)
770
619
709
686
943
Scrap metal (tons)
55
24
28
40
83
Textiles (tons)
69
67
65
56
64
Bones (tons)
20
12
8
4
3
Bottles, jars (tons)
233
167
251
166
109
Cullet (tons)
42
6
17
10
14
Rubber (tons)
29
—
1
9
1
Kitchen waste (tons)
1,037
1,083
1,173
1,077
1,110
Miscellaneous (tons)
14
—
60
—
1
£9,721
£8,231
£11,405
£11,207
£12,322
Sanitary Inspection of the Area.— Apart from the work recorded in other paragraphs of this
Report, the Sanitary Inspectors continued their general duty of abating nuisances and dealing with contraventions
of the Public Health Act, etc. This work has been and continues to be seriously handicapped
by shortage of labour and materials. Some particulars of the work done are given below:—
Complaints received 1,689
Number of premises at which nuisances etc., were located 512
Number of premises where defects were remedied:—
(a) by owners or occupiers 1,420
(b) by Council in default 18
(c) public sewers repaired by Council 9
Informal notices issued 1,173
Written reminders issued 1,011
Statutory Notices served 156
Total number of inspections and re-inspections 25,164
Inspections of piggeries 50
Inspections of stables 101
Inspections of urinals 11
Inspections (Rag Flock Act) Nil
Sinks repaired or renewed 80
Roofs repaired 486
Gutters repaired or renewed 355
Number of premises provided with damp-proof courses 29
Yards paved or drained 45
Floors, walls, etc., repaired or renewed 2,441
Windows repaired or renewed 730
Doors repaired or renewed 191
Grates provided or repaired 205
Wash coppers provided or repaired 24
Larders provided or repaired 5
Offensive accumulations removed 46
Other nuisances abated 152
Visits re infectious disease, etc. 237
Smoke Abatement.— The emission of smoke, grit and ash from a factory chimney may constitute
a nuisance within the meaning of the Public Health Acts. Smoke from domestic chimneys can be a nuisance
and do a lot of damage, but it is free from all supervision or control. The Sanitary Inspectors carried
out 76 smoke observations on factory chimneys during the year and paid many visits to premises which
had been the subject of smoke nuisance complaint.
Tents, Vans, Caravans.—The inspectors made 760 visits of inspection because of the occupation
of land by tents, caravans, etc. In one area of the Borough trespass by caravans on unfenced land is
particularly frequent. Removal of the caravans usually followed verbal notice from the Sanitary Inspector,
but at other times the assistance of the Police had to be obtained and the caravans towed off the
site. In this way 207 caravans were removed. The occupants were of the type who travel round the fringe
of urban areas, go from door to door buying or selling firewood, scrap metal, etc., and it was not unusual
for the caravan to be back on the same site within a few days.
There are 5 sites in the Borough which have been used as caravan sites for many years. Some
of these are occupied wholly or in part by persons who use caravans for business in connection with a travelling
circus, roundabout, fair or stall.
Under the provisions of the Middlesex County Council Act permission to establish caravans on
13 other sites was refused by the Council.
Common Lodging Houses.—There is no common lodging house in the Borough.
Canal Boats.—The Sanitary Inspectors continue their duties as canal boat inspectors and made
inspections during the year.
Factories, Workplaces, etc.—The Factories Act placed on the Council certain duties in regard to
(a) outworkers; (b) employment of persons in unwholesome premises; (c) basement bakehouses; (d) provision
of sanitary conveniences in all factories, and (e) cleanliness, overcrowding, ventilation and drainage
of floors in the case of factories in which mechanical power is not used. A summary of the work done is
given overleaf:—
15