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Land Charges Act, 1925.
The Town Clerk referred to the Department 1,912 enquiries relating to details of any outstanding
notices, orders or other restrictions on the properties concerned.
Immigrants.
In previous reports mention has been made of the fact that the south-eastern corner of the Borough,
which is contiguous with Soho, contains a cosmopolitan population in which immigrants from Cyprus
and European countries predominate. Very few immigrants from the West Indies, India or Pakistan
appear to have settled in St. Marylebone.
Rehousing—Medical Certificates—Closing Orders.
The Medical Officer of Health receives requests from the Borough Council's Housing Director for
reports and advice on the housing conditions and the health of persons applying for rehousing.
One hundred and fifty-five confidential medical certificates were considered in conjunction with
reports from the public health inspectors on environmental circumstances and, where justified, additional
points were recommended.
Three Closing Orders were made in respect of eight underground rooms, and one Order on three
other rooms. Closing Orders on twelve underground rooms were determined, and Orders on six rooms
were varied.
Common Lodging Houses.
There are two common lodging houses in the Borough. One accommodating 391 men is kept by the
Salvation Army, at No. 2, Burne Street and premises in Lisson Street. The other, conducted by the
Church Army, at Elgood House, No. 84, Bell Street, is registered for 85 women. Regular inspections
were made and particular attention given to fire precautions, the numbers of lodgers accommodated,
the possible presence of any verminous persons or articles, catering arrangements, sanitary and washing
facilities, and to general conformity with Bye-law requirements.
The Church Army lodging house is well-managed and has amenities which are above those usually
found at such premises.
It had been hoped that the building occupied by the Salvation Army would have been demolished
during the year, but it has been given a temporary reprieve and will probably remain until the middle
of 1965. There has been no improvement in conditions and none is envisaged. Although 391 lodgers
are permitted at these premises only 197 are actually accommodated, and this number will not be
exceeded except by an urgent appeal from the National Assistance Board. The lodgers rent accommodation
on a weekly basis and, at present, about 6 per cent. are old age pensioners. As a rule residents
are barred from all rooms from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 2 to 4 p.m., but exceptions are made for any
who are ailing.
SECTION E.—INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
Food and Drug Analysis.
The Public Analyst (Mr. Thomas McLachlan, D.C.M., A.C.G.F.C., F.R.I.C., M.I. Biol.) has submitted
the following report on the year's work:—
"During the year 1964, 245 samples of food and drugs were examined. Of these 1 was taken
formally and 244 informally.

Numerous complaints were received during the year regarding articles of food, which had been
purchased, and these were largely responsible for the high percentage of samples found to be
unsatisfactory.
Two milk bottles were submitted because of the presence of foreign matter. One contained pieces
of general dirt and mould spores. The other a deposit of dried milk which had become mouldy,
but which had not been properly washed in the bottle washing machine although the mould mycelium
had been attacked by hot alkali. Some cream contained 27.5 per cent. of fat and 10.5 per cent. of