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121
SHOPS, Etc., ACTS.
The Shops Acts, 1912-193(J, contain provisions for dealing with
dosing hours, the hours of work, and health and comfort of those
employed. Closing hours have during the year given little cause
for complaint. 20 infringements were found in regard to hours of
work of assistants but these were amended forthwith. 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. 841 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 2,043 visits of inspection were
made to underground drains in course of repair. With the
stringent licensing of building works and the labour and material?
difficulties it became essential to serve Statutory Orders in all
cases of drainage defects. Of 1,788 Orders served, 331 had to be
done in default of the owners.
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 inrat infestations.
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
There are but few registered and during the year there has
been no cause for complaint.
WATERCOURSES, PONDS AND DITCHES, Etc.
56 inspections were made and pollutions were found in 3
cases. Observation was also kept on static water tanks for
evidence of nuisance or mosquito "breeding.
SMOKE OBSERVATIONS.
During the year 50 observations were made of factory chimneys
for the purpose of detecting offences. In those cases where
nuisance occurred appropriate action was taken with a view to
remedying the condition. Today there is little choice left to the
factory owner regarding the fuel he uses and this creates a difficult
problem in smoke abatement. The difficulty of renewals of
plant has also to be overcome.