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fatalities were caused through heating appliances, other than open solid fuel fires, in the home and in
residential institutions throughout England and Wales. No figures are available to show how many
non-fatal accidents were due to the same cause. Legislation designed to reduce this unnecessary toll
is therefore most welcome. Danger still exists, however, through the continued use of heating appliances
brought into homes and workplaces before the legislation came into force and there must necessarily
be a lapse of some years before these appliances are replaced by safer models. Meanwhile the constant
propaganda on the part of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, and advice given by
the child health authorities, sanitary inspectors and others on the problems of fireguards in homes
and workplaces will be of the greatest value in the endeavour to reduce these appalling accidents
and fatalities.
One criticism of the Act is that auctioneers can still sell, offer or expose for sale, heating appliances
which do not comply with the Regulations unless they do so as agents for a person normally in the
business of selling heating appliances. Apart from the administrative difficulties involved, it seems
wrong that any such apparatus that does not comply can be sold by auction (which in view of the
possibly smaller cost to the purchaser must necessarily make the transaction more attractive) and
it is hoped that this provision will be reviewed. The task of enforcing the Regulations, however, has
its problems. Apart from frequent difficulty in obtaining power, fuel, or gas supply, etc., at the traders'
premises, and the necessity for breaking manufacturers' seals, the full test is a lengthy process and
spoils the immaculate new appearance so that in the retailer's opinion the appliance is reduced to
second-hand value.
Of appliances tested so far, half were below the prescribed standard and traders were told not to
sell or otherwise dispose of them until adequate guards had been fitted and approved. An extract
of the main provisions of the Regulations was sent for their information and guidance. In the main
the greatest offenders against the Regulations are second-hand dealers and frequent visits are necessary
to inspect appliances offered or exposed by them for sale. In all cases, however, on receipt of a letter
pointing out an offence, vendors have immediately withdrawn appliances from sale, fitted new guards
and sought approval before again displaying for sale. In no case, so far, has it been necessary to
institute legal proceedings.
Street Photographers.—A local bye-law, made by the Council under section 146 of the London
Government Act, 1924, came into operation on the 1st August, 1952, prohibiting the importuning by
a street photographer of any person in certain prescribed streets or public places for the purpose
of taking or selling any photograph. An offender against the bye-law is liable on summary conviction
to a fine not exceeding £5. As the administration and enforcement of most other "good rule and
government" bye-laws have been referred to the Public Health Committee, a similar course was
followed in regard to the new bye-law, more particularly as the officers of the Department, including
the streets nuisance inspector, are continually about the streets.
During 1954 the Council instituted legal proceedings in twelve cases, in respect of which fines and
costs awarded to the Council amounted to £21 18s. 6d.
SECTION D.—HOUSING.
Permanent Estates.—The Council had provided the following permanent housing accommodation
up to the 31st December, 1954 :—
Pre-War Estates— No. of Flats
Crawford Place Dwellings 52
Fisherton Street Housing Estate 130
Post-War Estates—
Barrow Hill 172
Church Street 140
Winchilsea House 23
Townshend (part) 110
Abbey Road/Boundary Road 54
Hamilton Terrace 52
Queen's Terrace (Block 1) 24
35/55, Boundary Road 48
Wellington Road (part) 31
Total 836