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Unfortunately A.R.P. activities consequent on the declaration of war
brought the whole of the medical services to a standstill; this however was
only permitted for a space of three weeks, actually the whole of the Maternity
Services never ceased, but realising the importance of the health services
during war time I pressed forward for all the services that could be put into
operation to be kept fully going. "At first many people being occupied with
their own problems did not utilise these services, but after a short while
everything began to move in the usual routine fashion, and it is my intention
to keep every possible ordinary service of the Council going to the fullest
extent.
There are many comments which I would like to make on the year's work
which was, up to the time of the declaration of war, one of steady progress,
. but I must defer gor another occasion. I would like to mention however, that
my-Junior Clerk, Mr.Herbert J.Weldon, joined His Majesty's"Forces in October
1939, and to express my appreciation for the-work which he has done since he
became attached to the Department, and I look forward anxiously to his return
when Peace is once more restored.
Since the beginning of the war I have had to direct my energies to the
establishment of the First Aid Services, and it became necessary to adjust the
duties of the members of my Department in an attempt to deal with this matter,
but I am afraid it will be necessary to obtain extra assistance in the near
future.
I desire to thank the Members of the Council for thuir kindly consideration
and help under .what was an exceedingly trying-year. I would also like
to extend my very best thanks to all the Members of my Staff in doing everything
they could to alleviate the difficulties that arose from the very
abnormal circumstances.
I have the honour to be, Mr.Mayor, Ladies & Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
D. REGAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
GENERAL STATISTICS
Area (in acres) 3,896
Population-
Census of 1921 66,809
Census of 1931 77,652
Estimated by the Registrar-General for mid-year, 1939 105,000
Number of Inhabitated Houses and Tenements at the end of 1939 25,726
Number of Inhabitated Houses and Tenemnets at the end of 1938 26,056
Rateable Yalue, April, 1939 £739,505
Estimated product of one penny in the £ for the year ending 31st
March, 1940 £ 3,000
Rates in the £ for the year ending 31st March, 1940 14s. 1d
SOCIAL CONDITIONS
The extent of unemployment may be estimated by the following figures,
relating to:-
(1) The municipal milk supply to nursing mothers and young children,
(2) The number of free dinners given to schoolchildren, and
(3) The actual figures supplied by the Director of Public Assistance.
Both (1) and (2) are given on purely economic grounds.
(1) Municipal Milk Supply:-
. . Number of pints granted free during 1938 153,355
" " " " 1939 154,043
(2) Number of free dinners during 1938 94,205
" " " " 1939 (to the end of August) 101,681
(3) Figures re out-relief:-
Persons
Amount
For the year 1938:-
(a) Ordinary out-relief 4,693 £46,136
(b) Unemployed out-relief 452 £ 2,658
5,145 £48,794
For the vear 1939:-
(a) Ordinary out-relief 4,244 £44,450
(b) Unemployed out-relief 454 £ 2,556
4,698 £47,006