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Various.
There are a number of isolated pitches in various streets which
have not been designated for the purpose of street trading. The
total number of licences in operation in 1955 was 19. One application
received was for a pitch outside the 'Globe' Cinema in Aberdour
Street but, as there was one trader licensed in that area already, it
was felt that, from a traffic point of view, an additional stall might
constitute a danger to people leaving the cinema. The licence was
granted for a trial period of six months in the first instance but, there
being no incidents during that time, was later extended unreservedly.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE (Amendment) ACT, 1951.
SECTION 50. Under Section 50 of this Act, it is the duty of the
Borough Council to cause to be buried or cremated the body of any
person who has died or has been found dead in the Borough where
there are no relatives or friends to make the necessary arrangements.
With the aid of the Coroner and the Police it is also incumbent upon
the Council to ascertain whether or not the cost incurred can be
reimbursed from the deceased's estate.
The Borough is bounded on its north side by the River Thames
and, during 1955, the bodies of 2 stillborn children and 5 adults were
recovered on the foreshore. The cost of interment of the children
and 2 of the adults was borne by the Council. Of the remaining
adult bodies, 2 were identified by relatives who made arrangements
for burial, and 1 proved to be an employee of a shipping company
which agreed to meet the funeral expenses in view of the fact that
there were no known relatives. In all cases the cost of removal of the
bodies to the mortuary was written off as irrecoverable.
The cases reported hereunder were also dealt with under the
provisions of Section 50.
1. Information was received at 3 p.m. on 3rd January, 1955, that
Mr. W. D. had died the previous morning and that his wife
had made no arrangements for the interment. On investigation
it was found that the couple occupied two rooms and
that Mrs. D. had no financial means to pay for the cost of a
funeral as she and her husband had been solely dependent
on their retirement pensions. The undertaker was instructed
to arrange for the immediate removal of the body
as it was lying on the only bed in the couple's possession.
Funeral expenses were met by the Council.
2. At the request of the Coroner's Officer, arrangements were made
for the interment of Mr. C. H. B. who died in a common lodging
house in the Borough on 5th February, 1955. Following
extensive enquiries it was found that the deceased had been
living for a considerable time in various lodging houses in
London; no relatives or friends could be traced and, apart
from his clothing which consisted mainly of rags, his only
possessions were a pipe, knife, purse, and a tin box containing
the sum of 19s.ld. The balance of the funeral expenses was
met by the Council.