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71
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 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, lighting, 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. 1,035
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 3,883 visits of inspection wen'
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 vears.
Of 934 Orders served, 131 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 are relaxed by Government
Order, but this does not relieve the keepers of providing
against nuisance. Little complaint of nuisance has however
arisen.
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
There were but few registered, and during the year the're has
been no cause for complaint.
WATERCOURSES, PONDS AND DITCHES, Etc.
106 inspections were made and pollutions were found in 12
cases.
SMOKE OBSERVATIONS.
During the year 117 observations were made of factory ch.m.
tieys for the purpose of detecting offences. In those cases where