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46
licensed premises, where the urinals serve a public purpose as well
as a private obligation. In these circumstances the Council and
the licensees have entered into an agreement as to responsibility
for maintenance, etc. Some of these agreements have
been working satisfactorily for over 20 years. My experience
urges me to suggest that if our streets are to be kept decent and
clean more public conveniences should be erected.
PASSAGES AT REAR OF PREMISES.
Many business premises have a secondary means of access—
a passage at the rear which undoubtedly is of great convenience
for business; but as these are used in common" by a number of
occupiers they become seriously neglected, and I have frequently
had to call attention to the lack of cleansing, etc. Notices have
been served, and much of the Inspectors' time is given to maintain
anything like decency. These passages are dark, and many
without gates lend themselves to the commitment of nuisances.
My experience again suggests light and the provision of more
public conveniences.
SMOKE NUISANCES.
This kind of nuisance is seldom seen in a serious form, as
there are few factory shafts in the Borough. On some 62 occasions
observations were made, but the smoke emitted could not
be designated a nuisance within the Public Health Act.
MORTUARIES.
There are two mortuaries, one on the Town Hall site and
the other at North Woolwich. They have been periodically
inspected and found in an excellent condition. Both buildings
are now under the control of a Mortuary Keeper, assisted by his
wife who attends to female bodies.
There have been 59 bodies admitted and 39 post-mortem
examinations held during the year.
VAN DWELLERS AND SQUATTERS.
82 visits have been made to the van dwellers and squatters
settlements in Langdon Crescent, where they have erected water
closets connected to the sewer, and provided a water supply for
drinking purposes. By making these provisions the Bye-laws are
complied with, but gipsies are gipsies.