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PREFACE.
The annual report on the health of the borough during 1943
is again short and also is again lacking in certain statistical
information which might be useful to the enemy upon both of which
aspects instructions have been given by higher authority.
The calling up of staff continued on a much reduced scale
merely because there were much fewer to call up but that did not
deter other Government departments from asking for more work to
be undertaken and more responsibility to be accepted.
The longer hours worked coupled with a reduction in holidays
had the anticipated effect of causing sickness to an extent which
more than offset the extra time worked. All the knowledge
acquired since 1918 about the effect of long hours, fatigue and
output in industry was overlooked when the Ministry of Labour and
National Service forced the introduction of longer hours upon the
Council with intent to counteract reductions in staff due to call
up.
Over and above this the public health department suffered
a great loss in the retirement on account of ill health of tho
Chief Administrative Assistant, Mr. A.E. Ruel who had served
the Council for forty years.
For the whole year, the second in succession, the district
suffered no damage from bombing and such alorts as there were,
were both few in number and short. There wa3 on occasion a littl
damage from A.A. shellfire which also caused one or two incidents.
Cordial gratitude is due to the Mayor, Alderman, and
Councillors for thoir assistance and forbearance during the year,
while the friendly help and co-operation from the chief officers
have been a welcome encouragement.
The staff of tho public health department have struggled
gamely against odds throughout the year despite the one-sided
Government game of "put'and take". Putting extra duties upon
the local authority and talcing away their staff have been carried
tg a, point beyond, commonsense and it is a happy relief to know
that the Council have approved the suggestion of the Joint
Industrial Council to increase the annual holidays from a
fortnight to three weeks.
A.G.G.T.
JUly, 1944.