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'For those who continue to remain in their own homes the Association has provided
amenities including chiropody service, convalescent holidays, domestic assistance (both
day and night), entertainment and outings, extra nourishment, mid-day meals, special medical
requisites, Handicraft Classes for those able to attend clubs and home work for the less
mobile. There are now two very active employment schemes and undoubtedly this work helps
to maintain an independent spirit amongst those over 60's who, only by reason of their age,
have had to retire from their previous employment.
'Visiting is one of the special services the Association offers and undoubtedly these
voluntary visitors, both young and old, help to bring brightness into the homes of these old
folk by their kindness and more especially by their regular visits.
'The Association is now caring for approximately 1,728 persons, but at all times is
conscious that those who seek aid should receive the amenities and facilities they require
when the need is most urgent.
'This is a brief summary of the activities provided for the over 60's in and of the City
for the year ending December 31st, 1961, '
FACTORIES ACT, 1937
THE SANITARY ACCOMMODATION REGULATIONS, 1938
PROSECUTION
H.M. Inspector of Factories, in accordance with Section 9 of the Factories Act 1937, on the
12th May reported an infringement of Section 7 of that Act in that a sanitary convenience in a
clothier's factory was not provided with an intervening ventilated space as is required by the
Sanitary Accommodation Regulations 1938.
During the ensuing months the occupier of the factory made frequent promises to do the
necessary work "within a week or so" but none of these promises was implemented.
On the 1st December, the Port and City of London Health Committee authorised the institution
of legal proceedings. The occupier of the factory was subsequently prosecuted when the
Magistrate imposed a fine of £50 and 5 guineas costs.
This is the first prosecution ever instituted by the City Corporation under the Factories Act
1937, or, indeed, so far as memory and records, some of which were destroyed by enemy action,
indicate under any previous Factory Act.
The fact that no prosecution has been previously brought by the City Corporation under the
Factories Acts, which have been in operation for well over half a century, reflects great credit on
the powers of persuasion of the Medical Officer's staff, especially in view of the fact that Section
9(3) of the Factories Act 1937 stipulates that
"If within one month after notice of an act or default is given by a Factory Inspector under
this section to a district council proceedings are not taken for punishing or remedying the
act or default, the inspector may take the like proceedings for the punishment or remedying
thereof as the district council might have taken, and shall be entitled to recover from the
district council summarily as a civil debt all such expenses incurred by him in and about
the proceedings as are not recovered from any other person and have not been incurred in
or about any unsuccessful legal proceedings. "
On no occasion has the Factory Inspector taken action in default of the "district council"
in regard to a City factory. Some dozen or more reports on infringements are received annually
by the Medical Officer's Department from H.M. Inspector of Factories.
RODENT CONTROL
In compliance with the provisions of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949, it is the
duty of every Local Authority to take such steps as may be necessary to secure as far as practicable
that their district is kept free from rats and mice and in particular:—
(a) from time to time to carry out such inspections as may be necessary for the purpose
aforesaid;
(b) to destroy rats and mice on land of which they are the occupier and otherwise to keep
such land so far as practicable free from rats and mice;
(c) to enforce the duties of owners and occupiers of land under Part 1 of this Act and to
carry out such operations as are authorised by those provisions;
(d) to keep such records and make such reports relating to their functions under this part of
this Act as may be required by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
For the purpose of implementing these provisions, organisation and procedure of the Rodent
Control Department was similar to that of previous years, comprising inspection of properties to
ascertain the presence of infestation by rats and mice, treatment of any such properties found on
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