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91
Rag Flock Act, 1911.
No samples were taken during 1914, owing to the administrative
difficulties that have arisen, due to the High Court Decision,
which practically makes the Rag Flock Act, 1911, in so far as
"remakes" are concerned, a dead letter. The Council decided
to support the suggestion to urge upon His Majesty's Government
the need of amending the 1911 Act, so as to bring "remakes"
within its scope, having regard to the decision given in the case of
Lamble v. Jordon (Kings' Bench Division), May 8th, 1913), by
which restuffing or remaking is no offence under the Act unless,
any other flock is added—a decision upheld by the Local Government
Board in a letter dated October 7th, 1913, in the following
words:—"it was not intended that the Rag Flock Act, 1911,
should apply to mattresses sent to be remade in cases where no
new flock is added."
The Sanitary Staff and the War.
Towards the end of 1914, the administrative machinery was
dislocated somewhat by the volunteering for military service by
members of the staff of the Public Health Department. Permission
was granted by the Council in all cases to the officers to
volunteer for service, on the understanding that the full salaries
(less military payments) were to be continued and the appointments
kept open. Temporary appointments were made.* The
Local Government Board issued a Circular under date of August
12th, 1914, drawing the attention of Local Authorities to the great
importance of maintaining the efficiency of the sanitary service of
the country and pointing out that there should be no relaxation of
the activities of Local Authorities in the prevention and control
of epidemic diseases, the protection of water supplies from contamination,
and the promotion of child welfare, and in securing the
wholesomeness of food supplies and the general sanitary condition
of each area. The absences of members of the permanent staff and
the instructions contained in the Board's Circular of August 12th,
1914, threw increased work upon the officials left at home, necessitating
the working of overtime, even though temporary help was
engaged, and this overtime will have to be continued so long as
the War lasts. These increased services of the permanent staff
are being given readily.
* Miss Mary Evelyn Davies (Joint Board's Sanitary Inspectors' certificate
and the certificate of the Central Midwives Board) was appointed by the
Council, with the approval of the Local Government Board, temporarily in
place of Miss Mary Davies, one of the Council's female inspectors, who left
for France in November, 1914.