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64
necessary to issue such a Certificate, a very small proportion
of the rented controlled properties in the Borough. I think &
more important development arising, in part, no doubt from the
permitted increases of rent of controlled properties, has been
the tendency for more "sitting" tenants to buy their own houses
and an increase in the number of owner-occupied older houses,
with the consequent improvement in maintenance and amenities.
Such forms of acquisition and improvements should be encouraged
by easier mortgage and loan conditions to permit of the purchase
of the older properties for owner-occupation and the improvement
of them by the provision of modern conveniences. To one like
myself, who has had many years of contact with the badly maintained
tenanted house, it is indeed impressive to view some of
these properties, now owner-occupied, which have been put into
good repair and provided with modern amenities.
Food inspection and particularly meat inspection at the
Abattoir continues to take up much of the time of the staff. The
number of animals slaughtered at the Abattoir continues to increase,
this year being 67,526, as against 61,422 during 1957.
A 100 per cent inspection has been maintained but this has entailed
much evening and weekend attendance of Inspectors at the
Abattoir. The buildings are over 80 years old and they were
originally constructed for "booth" slaughtering, whereby one or
more booths could be let to local butchers. It has now become
outmoded both in layout and its form of use, necessitating
consideration being given to its reconstruction or replacement.
For many years now the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food have closely liased with the Department in rodent
control measures, and whilst this liaison will continue, the 50
per cent Exchequer Grant towards the cost of this service
locally will end during 1959. It can truthfully be said that
our combined efforts over the years have reduced very considerably
the rodent population in the Borough, strikingly so in
connection with the sewer rat whereby infested sewer manholes
have been reduced from 1,350 in 1947 to 48 in 1958. I would
like to place on record my thanks to the officers of the
Ministry for their help over the years.
My thanks are also due to my staff for their efforts in the
past year in coping with the varied and ever changing duties
they are called upon to perform.
GEORGE GRIEVE,
Chief Public Health Inspector.