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32 REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1962
Mortuary
The arrangements made in 1956, between this Council and the
Battersea Borough Council, whereby the latter undertook, on agreed
terms, to use their mortuary for the reception of bodies of Wansworth
residents, continued and is working satisfactorily.
A revision of the financial terms with Battersea became necessary,
however, in view of decisions made by this Council in regard to the
future use of the Wandsworth mortuary.
Since the inception of the arrangement made in 1956, Wandsworth
had retained its mortuary at York Road as a reserve in case of an
emergency occurring for which the facilities at the Battersea mortuary
might prove inadequate.
Experience having shown, however, that ample accommodation
and facilities exist at the Battersea mortuary for dealing with bodies
from both boroughs under all normal circumstances, the possibility
of the York Road mortuary ever being required appeared remote.
After consultation, therefore, firstly with Her Majesty's Coroner,
who indicated that he saw no purpose in retaining the Wandsworth
mortuary, and secondly with the Battersea Borough Council, who
indicated that they were satisfied that their mortuary accommodation
and facilities were adequate for both boroughs, the Council decided
that the York Road mortuary be closed down and demolished.
Agreed new financial terms were, therefore, made with the Battersea
Borough Council with effect from 1st April, 1962.
During the year 745 bodies of persons who died in Wandsworth
were received in the Battersea mortuary, in addition to the reception
of bodies of persons dying in Battersea.
Crematorium
Under the Crematorium Regulations, 1930, 1,490 cremations were
authorized during 1962, compared with 1,375 in 1961.
Burial of the Dead
Under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, it is the
responsibility of the Council to arrange for the burial of persons who
die or are found dead in the Borough, and for whom no suitable
burial arrangements are made or are being made.
The number of persons buried under the provisions of the Act
during 1962 was 31.
Sewerage
The arrangements for sewerage and sewage disposal in the district
are reasonably adequate although occasional flooding has occurred
in the Borough due to surcharging of sewers following periods of
heavy rain.