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75
habits and cleanliness was very marked, and that the benefits the centres afford
appeared to be greatly appreciated by many of the parents. The Council has
continued the provision made for the employment of guides where necessary, in order
to convoy the children to and from the centres.
Blind
Persons Act.
The Council s scheme tor carrying out the provisions of the Blind Persons Act,
1920, set out in previous reports, was continued throughout the year, during which
84 persons over school age were seen. Of these, 48 males and 26 females were found
to be capable of benefiting by training, and advice was given as to trades in which
the persons should severally be trained, having regard to the prospects of future
employment. 7 males and 3 females were considered to be unfit for training under
the provisions of the Act.
Work of the Chemical Branch.
Central
Laboratory.
The work of this branch was carried out at four laboratories—viz., the central
laboratory at County Hall, the Greenwich generating station, and laboratories at the
northern and southern outfalls.
During the year nearly 5,000 samples of various kinds were examined. Most
or these were submitted by other departments of the Council for examination as to
their compliance with specified requirements or their suitability for various
purposes. In many cases special methods of examination, physical or chemical,
have been devised to test the suitability of the material submitted. The samples
examined included 259 samples of building materials, 60 of coals, 21 of disinfectants,
724 of foods, 18 of cattle feeding stuffs, 29 of drugs, 201 of oils, 143 of paints, colours
and varnishes and 119 of petroleum (under the Petroleum Acts). Analyses were made
in situ of 8 gases in connection with dry-cleaning and degreasing plant in use in
London. In connection with the heating and hot-water supply of County Hall, 47
flue gases and 633 samples of unsoftened and softened water were examined and
advice given. Analyses were made of 527 samples of water from the River Thames
and of 103 other waters, whilst 96 samples of rain water containing matters deposited
from the air were examined.
A considerable amount of work of an advisory character, frequently involving
much investigation, has been carried out in connection with such matters as
revision of specification for materials, tests of fire-resisting materials and failure of
materials in use. Specifications have been drawn up for paints used for protective
purposes, and means of testing have been devised which, it is hoped, will enable
materials of the desired properties to be obtained as a result of open tender. Steps
have also been taken with a view to securing uniformity and simplification of specifications
for lubricating oils.
Woolwich
Ferry, conveyance
of
dangerous
goods.
The conditions under which goods that, for various reasons, may be classed
as dangerous, should be carried on the ferry boats at Woolwich, have been investigated
and suggestions made for an amendment of the bye-laws to suit present
conditions.
Bathing
lakes,
open-air
swimming
baths and
paddling
ponds.
The special chemical work referred to in the report for last year in connection
with the bathing lakes, open-air swimming baths and paddling ponds, has been
continued, and the experiments with a system of filtration have been kept under
observation. It is hoped to report at the end of the ensuing bathing season on
the results of these experiments.
Collection of
house refuse
An experiment of great interest is being conducted at the Ebury bridge depot of
the Westminster City Council. House refuse, after the removal of tinned iron
cannisters, bottles and other large matters is comminuted by suitable machinery and
then stacked in a heap which is allowed to reach very large dimensions.
The changes occurring in this heap have been the subject of continued chemical
and biological observation, and it is proposed to continue these investigations on
the same heap so long as it is available, and report the results of the observations in
the next annual report.