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39
[1924
Legal proceedings in connection with workshops,
FACTORIES, Etc., IN 1924.
In November a complaint was received regarding a chocolate factory, which
was visited the same day. The floor of the factory, which was a large one, was
coated with a dirty deposit of fat and chocolate; the tables were also dirty, and
dirt could be scraped from underneath them; the boiling pans and the receptacles
for the boiled sugar were also very dirty. The tables did not appear to have been
thoroughly washed for some time; the moulds were also very dirty.
It was stated that the moulds seen were not the ones used, but when
the others were asked for they could not be produced. The W.C.s were in
an unsatisfactory and dirty condition. Forty-eight women and girls were
employed in the factory at the time. In reply to a letter written by the Medical
Officer of Health, the proprietor expressed regret and stated that the floor had
been cleaned, and he hoped in a few days to have everything in a satisfactory
condition. On visitation of the factory five days later, things were found in
absolutely the same state. Another visit was paid on the 20th November, and the
only change was that a small portion of the floor had been partially scraped.
Chocolates were laid out in the yard to cool and were open to contamination from
blowflies from stables near the factory. Owing to the Christmas vacation proceedings
could not be taken at the moment. The case was, however, heard at
the Islington Petty Sessions early in January, 1925, when the Chairman said:
"The case, which was a very serious one, had been proved up to the hilt. It
was unfortunate that the defendant did not take steps to stop the nuisance, which
was a disgrace, and had continued for a long time. They could only fine him
£1 and 10 guineas costs." Proceedings in this case had been taken under the
London County Council (General Powers) Act, which for the first offence allows
only a fine of £1.
DISTRICT INSPECTORS' WORK.
The fourteen district inspectors made a total of 57,907 inspections and calls
during the year, an increase of 90 inspections on the corresponding period of 1923;
while 13,896 improvements were effected in 6,239 premises; as against 13,175
improvements in 5,762 premises for the preceding year.

Notices Served.—There were 4,385 intimation notices served by the
inspectors with respect to nuisances, of which 316 were delivered personally, and
4,069 by post. In 617 instances it became necessary, as the intimations to owners
or occupiers of the properties had been ignored, to report the nuisances to the
Public Health Committee, who ordered statutory notices to be served.