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received in respect of the sale of an electric fire which was alleged to contravene the
requirements of the Fireguards Act. Upon investigation it was found that the purchaser
himself had interfered with the heating element. The heating appliance as sold satisfied
the prescribed tests. The Department assisted with publicity during the National Fire
Prevention Week.
The Council is empowered to serve Notice requiring the repair or renewal of drains
and water closets under Sections 40 and 109, of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and
to serve Notice under Section 25 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1955,
requiring the abatement of nuisances of so urgent a character that the normal nuisance
procedure would cause unnecessary delay. In default the Council may carry out the work, and
recover the costs involved.
It has been the practice in the past for the Borough Engineer to be responsible to
provide an estimate of the cost of carrying out the work and to arrange when necessary for
the work to be executed, either hy the Council's Contractors or by one of the builders on
an approved panel. Due to the amount of work involved the Borough Engineer found that his
Department was unable to continue supplying particulars, and in the circumstances the Council
transferred these functions to the Public Health Committee. The Borough Engineer will still
be responsible for the preparation of estimates for drainage work required where such work
is below ground.
The number of immigrants residing in the Borough is increasing. Families from abroad
arriving in this country may find it difficult to accommodate themselves to their new
surroundings, and problems may arise that can only be resolved by mutual patience and goodwill.
In order to promote a better understanding between the races the London Council of
Social Service held a meeting of Local Authority representatives. The Chief Public Health
Inspector attended on this occasion.
Two Inspectors attended a week-end school held by the Association of Public Health
Inspectors at Ashford in April this year.