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Sanitary Supervision of the Borough. 11
their disposal that this provision should be made to enable the
mothers of young children to take up work of national importance.
The Ministry of Labour made representation to this Council that
Nurseries were needed in the Wandsworth, Putney and Balham
areas.
As a consequence of this representation the Council, with
the approval of the Ministry of Health, took the necessary steps
to recondition, equip and staff Day Nurseries in Fairfield Street,
Wandsworth, at 95, Lacy Road, Putney, and at 22, Old Devonshire
Road, Balham, the three Nurseries which had been closed at the
outbreak of war, in anticipation of re-opening them early in 1942.
Sanitary Supervision of the Borough.
During the year 19 Sanitary Inspectors have been available.
As stated previously the number of complaints made to the
Department was considerably less than in pre-war years. The
Sanitary Inspectors have, however, been called upon to carry
out various other duties, e.g., the inspection and supervision of
the public air raid shelters in the Borough. Of the total of 42,343
inspections made for all purposes, 14,978 were made to these
shelters. The total number of defects found by the Sanitary
Inspectors during the visits to premises was 2,855.
400 routine visits were also made to the 171 sanitary conveniences,
but it was only necessary to serve one notice.
574 complaints of the presence of rats were investigated
by the Council's rat catcher who made 1,199 visits and laid 5,980
baits.
253 inspections were made to retail shops when it was found
that the provisions of the Shops Act, 1934, were being observed.
Mortuary and Crematorium.
The Mortuary at Wandsworth was used throughout the year,
and 268 bodies were received there.
As Medical Referees under the Crematorium Regulations,
1930, Dr. MacDonnell and I have authorised 198 cremations which
took place at the Crematorium at Putney Vale Cemetery.