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Air Act, requires the changing of old established customs. I
consider it to be of prime importance that work of this nature
should be done in such a way as to avoid giving people the feeling
that they are being pushed around. When this happens it is
not only a particular Department or Council, but Local Government
as a whole, that is brought into disrepute. If the purpose and
intention of the legislation in question is explained to people
and they can be persuaded that it is not only sensible but
necessary, and that it will, in the long run be beneficial to
the whole community, enforcement becomes smooth and harmonious.
This method of approach makes heavy demands on the staff and
requires men of high calibre if it is to be fully effective.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Public Health
Committee for their encouragement and to the technical and
clerical staff for their help during a busy and interesting year.
My report on the work of the Public Health Inspectors is
set out under the following headings:-
I. Sanitary Administration, viz:- inspection of the district,
summary of complaints, notices served, legal proceedings,
offensive trades, drainage, keeping of animals, rodent
control, destruction of vermin and insect pests, disinfection,
ponds, ditches and watercourses,
II. Air Pollution, viz:- smoke control areas, height of chimneys,
new furnaces, The Dark Smoke (Permitted Periods)
Regulations 1958, grit and dust, byelaws re new heating
and cooking appliances, pollution from road vehicles,
pollution from railway, measurement of atmospheric pollution,
publicity, co-ordinating committee,
III. Food, viz:- milk supply, ice cream, inspection of meat and
other foods, food hygiene, hawkers of food, sampling of
food and drugs, food poisoning, complaints about food, inspection
of food premises,
IV. Housing, viz:- inspection, repair, demolition, closure,
overcrowding, improvement grants, certificates of disrepair,
moveable dwellings, new houses,
V. Factories and Shops, viz:- inspection of factories, (See
Appendix I), outworkers and shops etc.
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