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13
SANITARY SUPERVISION OF THE BOROUGH.
There has been a considerable increase in the number
of complaints made to the Department, and as a consequence,
the inspections made for the purpose of investigating complaints,
have increased from 17,927 in 1912, to 23,613 in 1943.
The inspection and supervision of the public air raid shelters
in the Borough, has been continued, and 4,235 visits were
made for this purpose. The total number of inspections made
by the Inspectors for all purposes during the year, was 41,072.
5,100 defects were found.
Proceedings at the Police Court were instituted in 17
instances to enforce compliance with notices served.
765 visits were made on account of verminous conditions
of houses or bedding. 398 inspections of sanitary conveniences
were made.
1,024 complaints of the presence of rats were investigated
by the Council's rat catcher, who made 2,315 visits and laid
baits. As a normal routine, 7,603 baits were laid in sewers
throughout the Borough during the year, and 4,636 baits were
taken.
The Director of Infestation Control, Ministry of Food,
inaugurated an intensive rat campaign towards the end of the
year, and requested all Metropolitan Boroughs to take concerted
action, and to carry out treatment of the sewers on two occasions.
This was done in December, 1943, and again in January 1944.
In this Borough, 3,469 baits were laid during the first treatment
resulting in the estimated destruction of 28,400 rats.
On the second occasion 3,464 baits were laid, when it was
estimated that 14,200 rats had been destroyed.
MORTUARY AND CREMATORIUM.
The Mortuary at Wandsworth was used throughout the
year, and 261 bodies were received there.
As Medical referees under the Crematorium Regulations,
1930, Dr. MacDonnell and I have authorised 296 cremations,
which took place at the Crematorium at Putney Vale Cemetery.
HOUSING.
Work in connection with housing has again been on a
reduced scale, but 9,084 dwelling-houses were inspected for
defects by the Sanitary Inspectors, the total number of inspections
made being 26,738. 2,969 houses were found not in all
respects reasonably fit for human habitation, and of these, 614
were rendered fit without the service of any notice.
It was necessary to serve intimation notices under the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936, in respect of 2,341 houses,
and in 5 00 houses the service of nuisance notices was necessary.