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63
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
To the Medical Officer of Health.
I beg to submit a report for the year ending the 31st
December, 1949, of the work of the Sanitary Inspectors and other
officers made under my supervision.
During the year under review there has been a reduction in
the number of complaints of conditions affecting the housing
environment compared with the past few years and in consequence
it has been possible to give more attention to the inspection of
food premises, factories and work places, as the tables in the
report will show.
Some 9,000 houses have been rendered fit as a result of action
by the Department. It was necessary in 369 cases for the local
authority to do the works asked for on formal notices, in default
of owners.
The improvement in the structural condition of food premises
has been maintained. It is possible by statute to require the
necessary fitments to provide the facilities for general and personal
cleanliness in the food trades, but it is another matter ensuring
that full advantage is taken of such facilities when provided. The
Inspectorate emphasise this angle at every opportunity.
1,500 samples of food and drink for both chemical and
bacteriological examination have been taken during the year.
Meat inspection occupies the time of two Inspectors between
the Abattoir, where 24,769 animals were inspected after slaughter,
and the Meat Depot which serves a population of some 350,000.
Rats and mice destruction has gone on throughout the year
and the results have been very encouraging.
GEO. GRIEVE,
Chief Sanitary Inspector.