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38
VERMINOUS CONDITIONS AND UNCLEANLINESS.
Fifteen complaints were received in connection with premises
alleged to be verminous or unclean and 21 inspections were made.
Insect infestations were found in 21 houses (11 controlled by
the Council and 10 privately owned). The main causes were the bed
bug and the common flea. Where necessary works of disinfestation
were carried out by the staff of the Department.
Complaints concerning dirty premises are sometimes found to
be in houses occupied by the aged infirm or by persons of weak
intellect. It is usually possible to effect some improvement in these
cases but frequent visiting may be necessary if clean conditions
are to be maintained.
PUBLIC CLEANSING, REFUSE COLLECTION AND
DISPOSAL.
I am indebted to the Cleansing, Transport and Salvage Officer
for the following information :—
The volume of refuse has increased during the year, although
the weight carried has not increased to any large extent. A lighter
type of refuse is very much in evidence. The number of loads
increased from 8,900 to 9,300. The tonnage was estimated to be in
the region of 24,000 tons.
The amount of kitchen waste collected is estimated to be over
720 tons, a slight increase over last year. The system of collecting
kitchen waste by means of individual containers first introduced
into the Lamorbey area in 1953 was extended to the Mottingham
area in 1955. There were about 3,500 containers in use.
HEATING APPLIANCES (FIREGUARDS) ACT, 1954.
Observations have been kept on premises from which gas,
electric and oil fires are sold, in connection with which 16 visits have
been made. No contraventions of the Act were discovered.
SHOPS ACT, 1950.
The number of shops in the Urban District continues to
increase, there now being 826 situated as follows :—
Lamorbey and Blackfen 254
Sidcup and Footscray 266
North Cray and St. Paul's Cray 95
Chislehurst and Mottingham 211