View report page

- 28 -
by the Council at No. lA, Hornton Place, W.8., during the year was three
hundred and eighty-one. Post-mortem examinations were made in three
hundred and ten cases, and in sixty-seven instances the Coroner held
inquests.
Borough Cremation Service
The General Cemetery Company, who own the Kensal Green
Crematorium situated at the north-west corner of the borough, agreed with
the Council to make a reduced standard charge of four guineas for cremation
of Kensington residents, subject to certain financial conditions. The
agreement came into force on the 1st January, 1951.
In 1957, there were two hundred and eighty-three Kensington
cremations, in comparison with two hundred and fifty-five in 1956 and
two hundred and fifty-six in 1955 and sixty in 1948; the latter year was
taken as the basis on which the financial provisions of the agreement were
framed.
(Note: The standard charge was increased to £5. 5s. Od.
as from the 1st January, 1958.)
Medical Examinations of Staff
The Medical Officer of Health undertakes all medical examinations
of staff for the purposes of the Borough Council's Superannuation Scheme.
During the year one hundred and fifty-nine examinations were made.
Dog Nuisances
Apart from being an objectionable social offence, fouling of
footways by dogs is a public health nuisance for which an adequate remedy
is hard to find.
While it has been shown that dogs can carry and excrete germs
capable of producing illness in man, it is seldom that cases of human
disease can positively be related to infections originating from this
source. Nevertheless, such instances do occur and the potential risk
cannot be ignored. Certainly dog filth is an attraction to flies and
blowflies, with consequent possibilities of conveyance of infection.
The main objection, however, to the fouling of pavements and grass
verges by dog excreta is the nauseating revulsion, embarrassment and
distress caused by chance pollution of shoes, clothing, mats and carpets,
necessitating disgusting and time-consuming cleansing operations.
The Council's byelaw dealing with this nuisance provides that:-
"No person being in charge of a dog shall allow
the animal to foul the footway of any street or public
place by depositing its excrement thereon. For the
purpose of this byelaw the owner of the dog shall be
deemed to be in charge thereof, unless the Court is
satisfied that at the time when the dog fouled the
footway it had been placed in or taken into the charge
of some other person."
During the year one summons was issued under this byelaw.
A conviction was obtained and a fine of 10s. Od. was imposed.
WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE
The Council have accepted the responsibility, within their powers,