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37
No accidents resulting from the use of heaters are known to
have occurred in the district.
PET ANIMALS ACT, 1951.
Licences to sell pet animals were issued to proprietors of six
premises. Supervision of these shops entailed eight visits and it
was found that the sale of pets was on a small scale; no
contraventions were detected.
PETROLEUM (REGULATION) ACTS, 1928 AND 1936.
Mr. J. C. Kermode, Chief Public Health Inspector, is the
Inspector appointed under the above Acts.
Petroleum spirit and/or petroleum mixtures are stored at
64 premises, under licence. The total capacity is as follows:—
Petroleum spirit in tanks 145,250 gallons.
Petroleum mixture in tanks 9,660 gallons.
Petroleum spirit in canned and approved stores 220 gallons.
Petroleum mixture in canned and approved stores 2,470 gallons.
Carbide of calcium 100 lbs.
The year has seen great activity in connection with the
enforcement of the Petroleum (Regulation) Acts 1928 and 1936.
Two separate features have given rise to this position. Ten
years ago fresh conditions were laid down governing the
construction of petroleum pumps and their associated electrical
equipment. All new pumps installed in the interim complied with
these requirements and it was stipulated that existing pumps must
be adapted or renewed by 1960. A great deal of this work was
accomplished during 1959, involving 102 pumps.
Following the issue in 1957 by the Home Office of a "Model
code of principles of construction and licencing conditions," the
annual licences granted by the Council were amended. Holders
were given to understand that the clauses dealing with the testing
of storage tanks and pipe lines, installed more than 20 years ago,
must also be completed during 1959.
This testing involved most garage premises, etc., in the district.
It consisted of the disconnection of each tank, and the application
of a seepage test. At the same time all suction lines were subjected
to one or other of the appropriate tests. 87 tanks were dealt with.
This work caused licence holders considerable expense and
inconvenience, as the installation is of necessity put out of action
for a period.
Only one tank was found to be defective (at the joint where the
pipe line entered it) and was easily repaired. Minor defects were
also detected in two or three suction lines.