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134
interest in their sanitary condition, and put into practice preventable
means whereby the nuisance arising from the filthy condition
of these passages would be averted.
If the entrances were barred by gates much of the trouble
would be prevented, but if the gates are left open and a van or
cart left in the carriage way, these are conditions which lend
themselves for the place to become a public convenience.
Much time has been given and many Notices served for the
abatement of nuisances, but it is with difficulty that the work of
abatement is carried out.
SMOKE NUISANCES.
Observations have been taken on 156 occasions of the
emission of smoke from chimneys, as compared with 62 for the
previous year. This form of nuisance is seldom seen in a serious
form in the Borough, there being few manufacturers who have
chimney shafts to emit smoke.
On no occasion was the nuisance bad enough to warrant any
action beyond an ordinary letter being sent to the offenders.
MORTUARIES.
The mortuaries have been regularly inspected and always
found in a most excellent condition. The Central Mortuary on
Town Hall site is fully equipped with all necessary appliances.
There have been 98 bodies received and 65 post-mortems during
the year.
VAN DWELLERS AND SQUATTERS.
The geographical position of East Ham to London affords
facilities for gipsy trading, and 1 am afraid 'that while there is
unfenced vacant land in the Borough these nomads will continue
to pest the inhabitants who live near the sites they select for
squatting. During the year under consideration, on 243 occasions
visits were made by the Inspectors to their encampments, which
were principally on the Eastern Boundary of the Borough. The
figures for the previous year were 158. The Council's Bye-Laws,
which enforce the provision of a water supply, have been put into
operation on two occasions, legal proceedings being instituted,