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34
SECTION C
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF TllE AREA
(In conjunction with Mr, W„C Bartlett, Chief Public Health Inspector)
During the year under review, the number of Public Health Inspectors engaged in
the Department was under strength and although vacancies were repeatedly advertised
several positions still remained un-filled at the end of the year A Student Scheme,
which had been suspended, was resumed and a second Student Public Health Inspector was
engaged early in the year,
The unusual wintry conditions which commenced on Boxing Day the previous year
continued with increased severity. On some days the temperature was as low as - 8.9° C
Blocks of municipal and privately owned flats were severely affected due to the
build-up of ice in the soil and waste pipes, Where necessary, Elsan Closets together
with a quantity of fluid were loaned to tenants and this service was much appreciated,
Where sanitary blocks were situated in the school yard, great difficulty was
experienced by the Education Authority in maintaining them in good working order and
in certain cases this was impossible - the conveniences being out of order during the
whole period.
The freeze-up also affected the hygienic conditions of food premises Lack of
water and frozen waste pipes gave the proprietors every reason for their premises being
sub-standard. Patrons came in with dirt and ice from the street on their boots and with
the absence of water, it was difficult to keep the floors clean Cuts in the electrical
and gas supplies did not help and the shop keepers worked under very difficult conditions
The position was temporarily aggravated by the unavoidable delay in the refuse and pigswill
collection.
The demand for oil heaters considerably increased with the result that most shop
keepers sold out,
A certain amount of hardship was experienced due to the delay in deliveries of fuel
and this was particularly severe in the case of elderly, infirm or sick persons. Where
electrical or gas heating was used to supplement solid fuel, the situation was worsened
by supply cuts or reduced current. The maximum capacity for solid fuel for families in
multi-occupied houses is generally about 5 cwts When this is used up, delay in future
deliveries means that tanants are without until further supplies are available In order
to assist, a scheme was adopted whereby solid fuel in 28 lb bags was delivered upon
payment to aged or sick residents in the Borough
Where water supplies were frozen, the Metropolitan Water Board erected stand pipes
in the vicinity of the dwellings: affected, The fact that so many properties were without
water supply caused the Minister oi Housing and Local Government to issue Circular 65/63
in which he referred to the widespread damage and inconvenience caused. Enclosed with
this circular was one addressed to Water Undertakers in which the Minister indicated
his great concern over the damage and discomfort caused by frozen pipes In the wholly
abnormal conditions a certain amount of damage was probably unavoidable but in his
opinion, there was evidence of inadequate protection even against a normal winter many
of the reasonable precautions against frost rests on the householder The conditions