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163
these shops are voluntarily closed on one half-day each week,
although the shopkeepers are specially exempted from closing
under the second schedule of the Shops Act, 1912.
In addition to general inspection of the district, some
442 visits were made under the Act, and these visits are not
included in the total number of inspections recorded elsewhere
in this report in relation to sanitary work.
A number of shop-keepers appear to be very unwilling
to comply with the Regulations made by the Secretary of
State requiring them to affix certain notices dn their shops.
These notices have to be printed in a prescribed form and
have reference to the week-day on which assistants axe not
employed after 1.30 p.m., and in regard to "Mixed Shops"
being closed for the sale of non-exempted goods. The number
of infringements of this nature dealt with was 154.
Complaints were received from several shop-keepers and
a local tradesmen's association, with reference to the serving
of customers after the closing hour, especially at shops in
which several different trades are carried on. Instructions
were given for the matter to be investigated, and I, therefore,
caused an agent acting under my observation, to ascertain
whether or not non-exempted goods were being sold after the
closing hour at a number of shops situated in various parts
of the district. At six shops goods were sold to the agent in
contravention of the provisions of the Act, and, the facts
were reported to the Council, who directed the Clerk of the
Council to warn the offenders that any subsequent breach
would be followed by legal proceedings.
The Council has not, up to the present, found it necessary
to make a "Closing Order" with respect to any specific
trade or trades.