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Five premises in the Borough where these helmets are sold were kept under observation but no
sub-standard helmets were found.
Public Conveniences.
The usual supervision was exercised over the public sanitary conveniences and urinals. There are
in the Borough nine conveniences and five urinals for men, and six conveniences for women. Because
of staff shortages and other difficulties and in order to maintain the services it was sometimes found
necessary to leave some of the conveniences temporarily unattended, but no vandalism occurred.
Now established in its tenth year at all public conveniences where wash basins are provided, the
free washing scheme, with paper towels and liquid soap, is maintaining its popularity with the general
public.
Public Cleansing and Salvage.
The Director of Public Cleansing has kindly provided the following information:—
"The materials dealt with during 1958 were: house and trade refuse, 34,710 tons, street sweepings
and gully slop, 2,551 tons, salvaged materials, 2,037 tons. A sum of £11,050 was obtained from
the sale of salvaged materials. In addition, £1,440 was received for the removal of trade refuse
and for the cleansing of petroi interceptors, etc.
A minimum twice weekly refuse collection was maintained throughout the Borough and, in many
cases, a thrice weekly service was provided. All street gullies were mechanically cleansed at least
six times during the year and all streets swept at least once daily.
The remaining vehicles of a fleet of eleven diesel-powered tractors and ten trailer bodies for
the refuse collection service, some of which had been put into commission at the end of 1957, were
brought into service. An additional diesel-powered refuse container vehicle of improved type was
purchased for the removal of portable containers from new blocks of flats and offices which continue
to be erected in the Borough.
Two new diesel-powered mechanical sweeping machines of modern design were also purchased
to replace obsolete machines and put into operation during the year. The new machines are very
compact and their short wheel base gives increased manoeuvrability which is of great benefit in
the heavy traffic experienced in some parts of the Borough. In addition, they are able to sweep
narrow streets and mews in which the previous machines could not be used.
Radio transmitting and receiving apparatus has been installed in certain vehicles, ensuring
prompt action during emergencies, such as road accidents and snowfalls, and resulting in a reduction
in the size of the vehicle fleet."
Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials.
The Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951, is intended to ensure that the fillings for
upholstered and other stuffed articles shall be clean and wholesome. Standards of cleanliness are laid
down in Regulations made under the Act, which also provides for licensing of premises where the
fillings are manufactured or stored, and registration by the local authority of all business premises
where these materials are used. No premises in St. Marylebone are licensed for manufacture or storage
but ten premises, mainly those of upholsterers and manufacturers of cushions and pillows, are registered.
Samples of hair and other filling materials taken during the year complied with the statutory
requirements.
Burial or Cremation of the Dead.
Under section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, it is the responsibility of the Council to arrange
for the burial or cremation of the body of any person who has died or been found dead in the Borough,
where no other suitable arrangements for disposal have been or are being made.
Sixteen burials and five cremations were arranged during the year.
Mortuary.
Four bodies were received into the Public Mortuary in Chiltern Street.
Transportation of Bodies Abroad.
In certain cases where bodies are transported overseas, the Medical Officer of Health of the district
in which death has taken place is asked to furnish a certificate to the effect that the deceased did not
die from any infectious or contagious disease and that no recent epidemic of dangerous infectious
disease has occurred in the district.