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RAG FLOCK ACT 1911.
During 1919 a circular letter (dated May 26th, 1919), was
received from the Local Government Board, reminding sanitary
authorities of their duties under the Rag Flock Act, 1911, and drawing
attention to legal decisions given by the High Courts under the
Act (a) as to the interpretation of the term " flock " manufactured
from rags (Cooper v. Smith, 1914, 1 K. 8., 253), and (b) as to whether
or not " remakes " came within the Act (Gamble v. Gordon, 1913,
3 K. 8., 149). It was held that (a) the word " rags " had a wide
meaning and included rags other than those cut or torn from
materials that had been used as a garment and had become foul by
contact with the human body ; and ( b) the Act does not apply to
genuine " remakes," i.e., taking flock out of a covering of a mattress
and refilling the covering with the same and no other flock.
Taking the Lambeth experience since the 1911 Act came into
force, these legal interpretations had hampered the smooth working
of the Act, and the Council had consequently, in previous years,
expressed the view that an amending Act was necessary, especially
on the point of " Remakes," which clearly should not be exempt
under the Ac l, and advised the Board of its view at that time. Pending
such an amending Act being passed, the administration of the
1911 Act has been practically held in abeyance owing to practical
difficulties in carrying it out, but, having regard to the Board's
letter, 10 samples of rag flock were taken during 1919, and, in connection
therewith, 5 were found, on analysis, not to conform with the
requirements of the Act in that the amount of chlorine in each
sample was found to exceed the maximum amount permissible, viz.,
30 parts of chlorine to 100,000 parts of flock, the amounts being 104,
75, 106, 59 and 116 parts of chlorine per 100,000 parts of flock
respectively. One of the samples that did not comply with the
requirements of the Act was a " Remake." Proceedings were
ordered to be taken by the Council in regard to the 5 samples.*
MORTUARIES AND CORONERS' COURTS.
Details of Work carried out during 1919.
(a) Number of bodies received, 446—271 at High Street and 175 at
Wanless Road.
(b) Post-mortem examinations conducted, 171 —108 at High Street
and 63 at Wanless Road.
(c) Number of inquests held, 437 —267 at High Street and 170 at
Wanless Road.
* 1 sample was claimed to be a " remake," and 2 were claimed to be " cotton
flock," and these 3 were, consequently, held by the Council's legal adviser to be
outside the terms of the Act. in the other 2 cases summonses were taken out,
but were dismissed by the magistrate, the defendants establishing a defence
under section 1 (4) of the Act in each case. These results appear to show the
need for the Act being amended as stated in the body of the Report.