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6
To the Chairman and Members of the
Chislehurst and Sidcup Urban District Council.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
In this, my first report to you, I do not intend to write a
lengthy preamble as the year under review was one in which
Dr. Tapper was still your Medical Officer of Health. As will be
well known the latter retired very early in 1955 after a comparatively
short but active period in the service of this authority.
During this time his infectious enthusiasm left an impression, the
result of which will be felt for years to come.
During a year of many changes, I have to record with
profound regret the death of Mr. Allen who for so long had served
this Council well and faithfully as Chief Sanitary Inspector.
Always battling, as he was, against ill health, his stoicism and
unfailing cheerfulness must have been an inspiration to many,
thereby making his loss all the more keenly felt.
To fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Allen's death, his deputy.
Mr. Kermode, was promoted and to take the latter's place.
Mr. Berwick, one of the district inspectors was appointed.
I also have the sad task of recording the death of Mr. Watling
during the course of the year, after a number of years of valued
clerical work in the department. He was succeeded by Mr.
Oughton.
From a public health viewpoint, one of the outstanding
features of the year was the inauguration of a cesspool emptying
service by the Council, and although it would be wrong to pretend
that this service has been taken advantage of to the full, there is
no doubt an improvement has occurred in the overcoming of this
problem and with the full co-operation of all concerned, one looks
forward with hope to a gradually increasing response to this service.
On the other hand, it should be pointed out that the Council have
sewerage schemes under consideration, and it is to be hoped that
in the long run it will be possible to do away with the majority
of the cesspools.
Without going into tiresome details, suffice it to say that the
vital statistics are very satisfactory, and barring some entirely
unexpected catastrophe should remain so. Details will be found
in the body of the report where they can be studied by those who
are interested, but I have deliberately refrained from dilating upon
them in this letter, as most people seem to find figures frightening,
forbidding and formidable!