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Public control
Under the Fertiliser and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926, for which the Scientific Adviser is
the Official Agricultural Analyst to the County, of the 111 samples examined, 51 varied,
in some way, from the Statutory Statements or Voluntary Warranties given by the
vendors, but only in four cases were the variations to the disadvantage of the purchaser.
Many samples were examined under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928, the
provisions of which govern licences for storage and safety precautions regarding
petroleum spirit and petroleum mixtures. Of these, 47 samples were found to come
within the provisions of the Act. Advice was sought in several instances on premises
and processes employed to which the London Building Acts, 1930.39, applied. The
means of escape clause and the danger of fire and/or explosion are matters frequently
requiring scientific consideration. The officers of the branch were also concerned with
the Bread Order, S.I. 1283/1953, the Prepacked Food Order, 1950, the L.C.C. (Celluloid,
etc.) Act, 1915, etc.
Parks
Although some work was done for this department on fertilisers, soils and other matters
of horticultural interest, the major item related to the open.air swimming baths provided
for public use. The Council has under its control 15 open.air swimming baths and
20 indoor baths situated at various institutions. In conjunction with the officers of the
Chief Engineer's department, considerable research on the subject of control has been
done in the branch and, of the 127 bacteriological samples taken from open.air baths,
only one showed any coliform pollution ; the lowest clarity recorded was 25 feet, the
greatest above 100 feet and the mean was 60 feet. Research is proceeding on this subject
on the lines of even better control at less cost.
School meals, education and children's departments
The work done in co.operation with the School Meals and Catering Department was
continued and 82 meals were analysed for fat, protein, carbohydrate, mineral contents
and calorific value in order to ascertain that the standards aimed at were being provided
by the kitchens. The results showed a good approximation to the requirements of the
various nutritional factors for the age groups concerned. Visits to the laboratories of
kitchen supervisors were organised in order to demonstrate how the work in the kitchen
and the analytical results obtained in the laboratory are related.
Swimming bath waters and drinking waters at residential schools were examined
and the improvised treatment of the former worked well and will be continued until
authorisation by the appropriate Ministry for the expenditure for installing automatic
treatment plants is obtained.
Instructional visits of school parties to the County Hall continued and the application
of many branches of science directly to human needs and problems was demonstrated.
Supplies
More than 2,000 samples were examined, either directly or indirectly, for this department,
and their wide range is shown by the fact that in the list of samples given in this
report they fall into about 16 groups. Particularly close liaison was maintained with
officers of all branches of the Supplies Department which facilitated discussions on
matters on which a scientific aspect could be helpful.
The foodstuffs, which are divided into 17 classes, were generally of a high standard
of quality and a careful watch on contamination from the container, preservatives and
general adulteration was maintained. AO complaints on these and other purchases are
carefully investigated, new preparations assessed for potential value to the Council and
tenders assessed to ensure that the cheapest satisfactory material is recommended.
Careful attention is given to the development of synthetic detergents and new types
are examined when they become commercially available.
The field of work for this department includes paints, fuels, lubricating oils, foods,
soaps, plastics, solders, chemicals, drugs and general medical supplies.
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