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Temporary Buildings.—There are many nuisances for which
occupiers of houses are responsible, such as the keeping of fowls,
ducks, rabbits and goats, penned in small wooden structures in
back yards, which are frequently allowed to get into a most filthy
condition. It often happens that these animals are allowed to
roam about the yard and the refuse and waste food of the house
deposited upon the ground close to the dwelling.
The practice of erecting wooden out-houses is very common.
The question of ventilation is never considered by some occupiers
who are desirous of keeping their favourite pets. Every thought
is given to keeping animals warm, but the supply of fresh air for
the children is disregarded. Frequently buildings have been
erected encasing both the window and back door, including the
ground floor water closet, which under the circumstances has to
ventilate into the dwelling-house.
During the year some 21 of these erections have been
reported to the Borough Engineer, who deals with them under
the Building Bye-laws.
Back Passages.—The business premises in the Borough and
many of the private residences are provided with secondary means
of access at rear of the premises. The passages are generally
kept in a dirty condition ; joint ownership or occupation incurs
the difficulty in fixing the person causing the nuisance, although
in many instances the offender is an itinerant hawker who avails
himself of a dark passage to deposit his garbage. Many
complaints have been made and much time given to inspecting
and serving Notices for the abatement of nuisances arising in
connection with these passages.
Urinals.—There are eight Public Conveniences in the
Borough. Special men are employed by the Council, whose duty
it is to maintain them in a proper state of cleanliness. The
urinals aattched to the Public Houses are, with few exceptions,
kept in a satisfactory condition.