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37
SECTION C.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
The tables on pages 48 and 49 summarise, as far as possible
the Sanitary work of the Department; from these it will be seen
that a total of 19,187 houses and premises have been inspected or
re-inspected during the year; 1,310 intimation notices and 218
statutory notices have been served.
There were altogether throughout the year 753 complaints
registered.
FACTORIES.
Factories Act, 1937.—This Act came into force on the
1st July, 1938. It consolidates and amends all previous legislation
regarding Factories, Workshops and Workplaces, and removes
the previous distinction. In general, the Local Authority will
enforce the legislation as to sanitary conveniences in all factories
and as to cleanliness, ventilation, overcrowding, and drainage
of floors, in factories where mechanical power is not used.
All factories, irrespective of size, must have an adequate
supply of drinking water from a public main or some other source
approved in writing by the Council.
A register of factories must be kept and the Act applies to
factories belonging to the Crown or Municipal Undertakings.
Under the new Act in regard to Overcrowding, the cubic
space allowed for each person is raised from 250 to 400 cubic feet,
and no space more than 14 feet from the floor is to be taken into
account in making the calculation. In the case of a room used as
a workroom at the time of the passing of the Act, however, the
old figure of 250 cubic feet is allowed for a period of 5 years, although
during this period some form of mechanical ventilation may be
demanded.
Basement bakehouses are subject to special legislation. They
may not be used as such in future unless so used at the time of
the passing of the Act. In addition a certificate of suitability
must have been issued by the Council.
A basement bakehouse which has not been used as such for
a period exceeding 12 months, shall not be so used again.
It will be the duty of the Council to carry out during the year
commencing 1st July, 1938, and every five years thereafter, an