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do little to prevent. In each of the two years, three of the remaining deaths were due to infection.
The fourth in 1956 was due to respiratory failure of unspecified causation while the fourth in 1957
was due to murder.
Although I did not know him, it is, I think, proper that I should record the death in May, 1957,
of Mr. H. E. Scoble, M.B.E., the Senior Public Health Inspector. Mr. Scoble had worked in the
department for twenty-seven years and I know that all the members of the staff regarded his death
as a personal bereavement as well as the loss of an experienced and valuable colleague. Mr. V. A.
Bignell was appointed to replace him and is already proving himself a worthy successor.
I have also to report that in December, Mr. C. Hepper, who had been your Mortuary Keeper for ten
years, died in hospital where he had been admitted some time previously. Apart from his work at
the Mortuary, Mr. Hepper drove the "Meals on Wheels" van and had endeared himself to many
of the older residents in the Borough.
To strike a happier note, it is with pleasure that I report that Miss Margaret Sharp, your Public
Health Inspector, who is charged with the care of old people, had Membership of the Order of the
British Empire conferred upon her in the 1957 New Year's Honours List. This is, I feel, a tribute not
only to her selfless devotion in promoting the welfare of the elderly, but also to the Council who have
so actively encouraged this aspect of the work of the department.
To His Worship the Mayor, to the Chairman, Alderman C. D. Denis-Smith, and members of the
Public Health Committee, and to the members of the Council, generally, I wish to express my
gratitude for their kindness and consideration during these early months of my appointment. To
my colleagues in other departments of the Council, I offer my sincere thanks for the help and
co-operation they have so willingly given. Finally, I must pay tribute to the staff of the Public Health
Department whose team spirit and initiative enabled them so successfully to bridge the gap between
Dr. Bulman's retirement and my arrival, and whose loyalty and efficiency have since been invaluable.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. H. BRISCOE-SMITH,
Medical Officer of Health.