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The Council accepts as a legal responsibility the clearance of public
sewers and the work is undertaken without any charge being made to
the owners or occupiers of the properties. Of the 243 cases discovered,
however, 133 related to private drainage, and in these cases, a charge
is made for the work undertaken. Accounts were rendered for £73 Is. 6d.
for this work.
The repair of combined drains is also undertaken by the Council
in accordance with statute, the cost of works being recovered from the
owners of the properties concerned.
Water Supply.
The water supply of the area has been satisfactory in quality and
quantity, the Metropolitan Water Board supplying all properties in the
area by main.
Bacteriological examination has been regular, 36 samples being
taken during the year. All proved to be satisfactory.
Moveable Dwellings.
Fifteen families occupied moveable dwellings under licence from
the Council during 1954.
Frequent inspections of the sites of the caravans were made and in
no instance was a Public Health nuisance discovered.
Factories Act, 1937.
Four hundred and forty nine visits of inspection were made to
factories in the area and the following nuisances were remedied following
the service of Intimation Notices :—
Want of cleanliness 5
Unsuitable or defective sanitary conveniences 32
Shops Acts.
One thousand, six hundred and twenty-six visits were paid in
connection with the Shops Acts.
Sixteen contraventions were discovered and remedied.
Mortuary.
The administration of the Beckenham Mortuary is the responsibility
of the Public Health Department, the Mortuary Attendant being
a member of the Medical Officer's staff.
During 1954, 99 bodies were brought to the Mortuary where postmortem
examinations were conducted by a Home Office Pathologist.
The Mortuary Attendant is responsible, under supervision, for the
maintenance and cleanliness of the building, the reception and collection
of bodies, assistance at Post Mortems, and the preparation and arrangement
of a Town Hall room for the purposes of Inquest. Charge is
taken of any clothing or valuables found on deceased persons and
next-of-kin are immediately informed.
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