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procedure for forcible removal. Towards the end of the year, it
being realised that other measures would have to be taken if the
problem was to be overcome, it was decided after consultation with
the Town Clerk and the Borough Surveyor to re-commence the
institution of legal proceedings against caravan dwellers creating
nuisance in the Borough. It was proposed to serve Statutory
Notices upon the occupiers of the caravans and if these were not
complied with to apply to the Magistrates' Court for Orders
prohibiting the caravans dwellers from occupying various sites in
the Borough. In the event of these Orders (if obtained) not being
complied with, proceedings would be instituted for penalties in the
hope that the penalties would be sufficiently severe to deter the
caravan dwellers from re-entering the Borough. This policy was
commenced at the end of 1954 and it is early as yet to say whether
or not it will be effective. The number of caravans in the Borough
has been reduced in recent years and I am hopeful that the policy
which we have now adopted together with the development of
vacant land in the area will have the effect of eliminating nuisances
from caravans in this Borough.
FOOD HYGIENE
During 1954, 48 lectures were given to food handlers, of whom
178 received Certificates upon completing the course. Since the
scheme commenced five years ago, 322 lectures have been given to
food handlers and 1,449 persons have received Certificates of
Attendance.
The number of Certificates of Food Hygiene awarded during
the year to food establishments increased by 4 to a total of 60.
One Certificate was withdrawn owing to a change of ownership of
the business.
During 1954, 2,355 inspections of food premises were made by
the Sanitary Inspectors and 368 repairs and improvements were
carried out.
Twenty-six talks on Food Hygiene by the Sanitary Inspectors
to school-leavers in the secondary grammar and secondary modern
schools in the Borough were given during the year to approximately
1,000 school-children.
The film strip on "Food Infections" made by the Council has
achieved considerable success, no less than 70 copies having been
sold to various Local Authorities and Food firms throughout the
Country, and to Government Departments in New Zealand, South
Africa, Burma, Sweden and Newfoundland.
It is to be hoped that some government lead will be given in
the near future to the encouragement of Food Hygiene lecture
schemes on the lines of the lialing scheme. It will never be possible
to obtain really satisfactory Food Hygiene procedure from all