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5
larger firms in the Borough but equally to the staff and to individuals
concerned in stalls throughout the Borough and on the Heath at fair
time.
Our work in connection with the Heath continues, and shows
increasingly good results. In 1948 only 37 5 per cent. of the samples of
ice-cream taken at the fair were found to be satisfactory. In 1951, this
percentage had risen to 77 8. I am still somewhat worried as to the
temporary sanitary accommodation provided for the Easter, Whitsun
and August Bank Holiday Fairs. The problem is difficult, for it is
undesirable that any permanent structure should be erected for these
short periods and thus interfere with the appearance and amenities of the
Heath. Provision on such a scale moreover, would not be essential
except on these few days of the year. On the other hand, the temporary
arrangements leave much to be desired and I am in consultation with the
officers of the London County Council to see what improvements may
be obtained.
During 1951 a visit was made to every hairdressing establishment in
the Borough and in these pages will be found the report which was
presented to the Council. It is pleasant to record that generally the
barbers and hairdressers premises in the Borough were found to be
satisfactory from a public health point of view. I am of opinion that
these surveys of particular trades are of great value. Apart from the
assurance which we were able to give the Council, we also tendered
much advice to the proprietors of the various establishments and I
would like to acknowledge the co-operation which we received.
Your Sanitary Inspectors have paid visits on persons resident in the
Borough who are listed as blind, in order that we might co-operate with
the County Council officers in the welfare of those concerned. It has
been possible to remedy various environmental defects which have come
to light as a result of these visits.
The work of the Department has embraced the examination of
houses where application has been made under the Housing Act, 1949,
for a grant towards the acquisition of property. The Council must
satisfy itself that the property to be acquired is, or will be made, in all
respects fit for human habitation. We are also securing that the provisions
of the Pet Animals Act, 1951, and the Rag Flock and Other
Filling Materials Act, 1951, are enforced.
I think it is fair to say that the public appreciate the help which your
Council is able to render through its Public Health Department.
Throughout the year, no less than 2,317 requests were made to the
Department for help and the number of visits and re-inspections made by
your Sanitary Inspectors totalled over 20,000. 1,411 intimation notices
were written to owners informing them of defects in their property. In
419 cases it was necessary to serve a statutory notice and court proceedings
were necessary in only 10 cases to enforce the execution of work.
The Sanitary Inspector should be accepted as the friend of those in need
of help and the advisor of those who have to remedy defects. It should
be exceptional for him to have to threaten the force of law or the commencement
of legal proceedings and by and large this is the position in
the Borough of Hampstead.