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SHOPS, Etc., ACTS.
The Shops Acts, 1912-1938, contain provisions for dealing
with closing hours, the hours of work, and health and comfort
of those employed. Closing hours have duri'ng the year given
little cause for complaint. 37 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 gases 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. 1,168
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 3,220 visits of inspection were
made to underground drains in course of repair. The labour
and materials situation being somewhat easier it was not necessary
to serve so many statutory orders as in previous post-war years.
Of 1,029 Orders served, 116 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.
115 inspections were made and pollutions were found in 7
cases.
SMOKE OBSERVATIONS.
During the year 34 observations were made of.factory chimneys
for the purpose of detecting offences. In those cases where
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