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116
SHOPS, Etc., ACTS.
The Shops Acts, 1912-1936, contain provisions for dealing with
closing hours, the hours of work, and health and comfort of those
employed. Hours of work and closing hours have during the
War years given little cause for complaint. The health and comfort
of those employed is safeguarded in the matter of shop
ventilation, warming, washing facilities, facilities for taking
meals and suitable and sufficient sanitary accommodation, and
action has been taken in the cases where these fell short of requirements.
The Young Persons Employment Act, 1938, regulates
the hours of employment of persons under the age of 18 years,
not controlled by the Shops Acts. 128 inspections were made
and a number of infringements were found as set out.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTS.
Drainage Work.
During the year there was no lessening of work in this branch of
the department's duties. Some 3,371 visits of inspection were
made to underground drains in course of repair. With the
stringent licensing of building works and the labour difficulties
a became essential to serve Statutory Orders in all cases of drainage
defects. Of these Orders a large proportion had to be done
in default of the owners. This has been possible by employing
specialist labour set aside for this purpose. 1,230 Statutory
Orders have been served to comply with drainage defects during
the year.
KEEPING OF ANIMALS.
There has been during the war a large increase in the number
of pig and poultry keepers. Byelaws were relaxed by Government
Order, but this did not relieve the keepers of providing
against nuisance. Little complaint of nuisance has arisen but
there has been an increase in rat infestations.
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
There are but few registered and during the year there has
been no cause for complaint.
WATERCOURSES, PONDS AND DITCHES, Etc.
97 inspections were made and pollutions were found in 2
cases. Observation is also kept on static water tanks for evidence
of nuisance or mosquito breeding.