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125
SHOPS, Etc., ACTS.
The Shops Acts, 1912-l936, contain provisions for dealing with
closing hours, the hours of work, and health and comfort of those
employed. Closing hours have during the year given little cause
for complaint. 25 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. 955 inspections were made
under the Shops, etc., Acts, and a number of infringements were
found.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTS.
Drainage Work.
During the year there was no lessening of work in this branch of
the department's duties. Some 2,986 visits of inspection were
made to underground drains in course of repair. With the
stringent licensing of building works and the labour and materials
difficulties it became essential to serve Statutory Orders in almost
all cases of drainage defects. Of 2,030 Orders served, 350 had to
be done in default of the owners.
KEEPING OF ANIMALS.
There was 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 however
arisen.
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
There are but few registered and during the year there has
been no cause for complaint.
WATERCOURSES, PONDS AND DITCHES, Etc.
202 inspections were made and pollutions were found in 10
cases.
SMOKE OBSERVATIONS.
During the year 45 observations were made of factory chimneys
for the purpose of detecting offences. In those cases where