View report page

16
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.
Eight burials and five cremations were arranged during the year.
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, where applicable, 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 had occurred in the district.
During the year four certificates were issued in respect of bodies being transported abroad, two to
Italy, one to Poland and one to Iraq.
Cremation.
The Medical Officer of Health is Medical Referee for the Council's Crematorium, which is situated
at the St. Marylebone Cemetery, East Finchley. During the year 1,954 certificates authorising
cremation were issued and since December, 1937, when the crematorium was opened, 25,004 cremations
have taken place.
Dog Nuisance.
The Council's new byelaw dealing with this nuisance came into operation on 31st May, 1960. It
provides that :—" No person being in charge of a dog shall allow the dog to foul the footway of any
street or public place by depositing its excrement thereon."
Contraventions reported by the Streets Nuisance Inspector during the year resulted in the issue of
ten summonses, one of which could not be served. Nine convictions were secured with penalties and
costs amounting to £18 5s. Od.
Street Photographers.
A local byelaw, 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 byelaw is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5 0s. Od. As
the administration and enforcement of most other " good rule and government " byelaws have been
referred to the Public Health Committee, a similar course was followed in regard to this byelaw, more
particularly as the officers of the Department including the Streets Nuisance Inspector, are continually
about the streets.
During 1962 the Council applied for six summonses of which only four could be served. These all
resulted in conviction and a fine of £5 with 10s. 6d. costs was imposed in each of three cases, and a fine
of £3 with one guinea costs in the other.