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8
before. That does not mean that we can be satisfied nor that great
improvements cannot be made. In certain districts it is not the
products of combustion that are the main source of complaint, but
dust and grit from such processes as breeze block manufacture, the
making of road surfacing materials, the discharge from the river
of cement, granite chippings, limestone, sand and similar substances.
All these things cause serious nuisance to nearby residents
and it is no answer to them to say that these works are sited in areas
scheduled in some master plan for industrial purposes. They reply
and rightly, that such processes as I have mentioned should not be
carried on adjacent to their homes, or alternatively, that they should
be moved from a particularly unhealthy area. Nevertheless the
Department has done its best, with some success, to tackle part
of this difficult problem.
During the year the Old People's Welfare Association expanded
its services for the aged in the Borough with generous financial and
practical support from the Council. The Health Department has
continued to give official and unofficial help to the many services
devoted to the welfare of old persons, and liaison with the hospitals,
especially the Geriatric Unit at St. Alfcge's, remains close and cordial.
A detailed account of these activities is included in the main report.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the staff for their help throughout
the year and to acknowledge the support from the Chairman and
Vice-Chairman of the Public Health Committee ; likewise the Town
Clerk and the other Chief Officers have shown much kindness and
consideration to me throughout the year.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient Servant,
J. Kerr Brown
Medical Officer of Health