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Regulations. In the event of any defect or of any contravention the
County Council are informed. Visits are occasionally made at the
invitation of the Canteen Supervisors to inspect food of which they
are doubtful.
Smoke Observations
The usual observations have been taken on industrial chimneys
in the district. With the coming of the Clean Air Act, a more comprehensive
control will be organised over smoke not only from
industrial but other chimneys. The Council will be considering
the advisability of a Smoke Control Area within the district during
the next year.
Brooks, Streams, Verminous Premises, Hairdressers and Barbers
Very little change occurs in the number of visits made in regard
to these headings. The majority are of a routine nature. As far as
verminous premises are concerned these get less year by year and
no serious infestations exist in the district.
FACTORIES
During 1957 the routine visits to factories and outworkers for
the purposes of the Factories Acts have continued and in the year in
question 173 visits were made and 1 contravention was found.
Notices were served on the occupiers of the factories and the
necessary work was carried out. The condition of the factories
generally in this area is reasonable as far as the Sections for which the
local authority are responsible. Considering that there are 100
factories in the district the number of notices served is small.
SHOPS ACTS
Inspections made under these Acts show a slight decrease.
The majority of the shops in the district close two hours or more
before the permitted closing time and this practice now seems
common in suburban areas.
No serious contraventions were observed during the year. Although
preliminary work was done in an endeavour to remove anomalies
arising from different early closing days in parts of the district
it has not yet been possible to frame new Early Closing Day Orders.
HOUSING
On the first September, 1957, the Housing Act, 1957, came into
force. This Act consolidates the enactments relating to housing
with the exception of certain provisions relating to financial matters.
While the Act still contains the various sections, the numbers of
the sections in many cases have been altered which at the moment
is causing a certain amount of confusion. However, it is a great
advantage to have the greater majority of the law as it relates to
Housing contained in one Act instead of spread over five or six.
In the year to which this report relates the amount of work in
connection with housing has increased considerably. This increase is
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