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A medical officer of health may stop the sale of milk, or require it to be diverted for heat treatment, if there is
evidence that it is infected with a disease communicable to man, and he may require milk to be heat treated if he has
reasonable grounds for suspecting it to be so infected.
The Regulations as to buildings, cleansing of vessels and utensils, distribution and prevention from contamination
of milk have been revised and brought into line with modern thought and practice.
Mineral Oil in Food Order, 1949.—The increasing use of medicinal paraffin in the preparation and composition of
articles of food for sale to the public resulted in this Order being made. It came into operation on the 9th April, 1949,
and prohibits the use of mineral oil in the composition or preparation of any article of food intended for human
consumption. The presence of mineral oil not exceeding 0.2 parts by weight of the article of food is not deemed to
be an offence where its presence is due, not to inclusion as an ingredient, but to its use as a lubricant or greasing agent
on a surface with which the article of food necessarily comes into contact during preparation.
In only one instance did analysis reveal the presence of soft paraffin in an article of food, but it did not constitute
an offence against the Order, being less than 0.2 parts by weight and used only as a lubricating agent.
Food and Drugs (Whalemeat) Regulations, 1949.—These Regulations came into force on the 20th March, and are
designed, amongst other things, to secure observance of hygienic conditions in connection with the sale, transport
and handling of whale meat. The importation of whale meat into England and Wales for human consumption is
prohibited unless accompanied by a veterinary certificate, and the Regulations prescribe the manner in which
uncertificated whale meat shall be dealt with.
HOLIDAY HOME FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.—
As foreshadowed in my report for 1948, the Council completed arrangements for the establishment of a holiday
home for elderly people on the 18th March, 1949, at "Kincardine," Brassey Road, Bexhill-on-Sea.
The acquisition of this desirable property was eventually completed by agreement with the owner at a price of
£7,450 and a figure of £1,200 was agreed for the purchase of the existing furniture, fittings, etc. Additional furniture,
etc., required was purchased for £850 and after certain repair works costing approximately £223 were completed, the
Holiday Home was ready for its first visitors on the 25th April, an achievement which was only made possible by the
co-operation of all concerned.
Full particulars of accommodation etc., were given in my report of 1948, but for purposes of record as well as
information these are repeated hereunder:—
Accommodation available for 16 visitors as follows:—
Two double bedrooms for married couples;
Five rooms each containing two single beds;
Two single bedrooms.
Situation—
Faces east, within 100 yards of the sea front, and within easy reach of the Town's shopping centre and the
railway station.
Conditions of acceptance—
Applicants must be residents of Paddington, and of pensionable age (i.e. men 65 years, women 60 years).
Admission Fees—
21/- per week inclusive. (This fee is reduced to 15/- per week if the applicant is in receipt of a supplementary
pension.)
All fees must be fully paid by three weeks prior to the date of visit and can, if desired, be paid in instalments.
Transport arrangements—
These arrangements are the responsibility of the Old People's Welfare Committee, who have entered into a
contract with the Maidstone and District Motor Services Limited, which provide for a motor coach to transport
homecoming visitors from Bexhill to Paddington every Monday at 9.30 a.m., arriving at the Town Hall about
12.30 p.m. and returning at 1.30 p.m. with a fresh batch of visitors.
Staff—
The staff comprises Manageress (resident), Cook, Chambermaid/Waitress—all full time: domestic help and
gardener/handyman—part.time.
To cover any medical attendance that may be required from time to time, the services of Dr. R. P. Mills have
been retained at a fee of £11 per annum.