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44
RIDING ESTABLISHMENTS ACT, 1939.
There are now five stables from which horses are hired, for
the purpose of riding.
Animals, consisting of 29 horses and 76 ponies, were inspected
by the Veterinary Surgeon appointed for the purpose. Five visits
were made and the animals were reported to be in good health. The
Inspectors paid a further 35 visits.
It has not been necessary to require any substantial improvements
to stables.
RIVERS AND STREAMS.
I am informed by the Engineer and Surveyor that apart from
the normal maintenance of streams and rivers for which he is
responsible, only the normal patrolling has been found necessary.
The Inspectoral staff also keep observation of rivers and
streams principally to detect pollution, and 95 visits were made for
this purpose.
A watch is also kept for rodent infestation in the banks where
rubbish is liable to accumulate and any infested lengths are treated.
Rainfall and Flooding.
The year was relatively dry. The total rainfall at 22.2 inches
was 9.1 down on 1960, and in fact only equalled the fall for the last
six months of that year. It was, however, some three inches above
the fall for the dry year of 1959.
Practically no rain fell in March, 1961, and only 9.54 in the
first six months, compared with 14.22 in the second half of the year.
On only three occasions did the fall exceed an inch in 24 hours.
1.3 inches on 4th May was of an intense nature and flooding occurred
in North Sidcup, causing considerable inconvenience, particularly
in Willersley Avenue. Conditions were aggravated by the overspill
of sewage from a foul sewer, which has since been relieved by the
construction of a new sewer.
The 1.22 inches which fell on 12th June was prolonged, but
not particularly intense. Considerable overspill of sewage took
place in Station Road, Sidcup, but this was caused by an obstruction
in the outfall manhole.
1.18 inches falling on 10th November did not result in flooding.
Details of rainfall are as follow:—
January 2.06 ins.
February 1.84 ins.
March 0.04 ins.
April 2.10 ins.
May 1.82 ins.
June 1.68 ins.
July 1.08 ins.
August 2.14 ins.
September 2.16 ins.
October 3.26 ins.
November 2.56 ins.
December 2.98 ins.
23.72 ins.
(1960—32.86 ins.)