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Shellfish.
Opportunity was taken during the year to sample various types of
shellfish (cockles, winkles, shrimps etc.) sold, often at weekends, in our
district. The nature of the analyses comprised bacteriological and
metallic examinations and produced informative results. Eight samples
of cooked shellfish of various kinds showed evidence of significant
bacteriological contamination in two instances. The source of the contamination
could not be determined with certainty, but steps were taken
to ensure that a recurrence of the contamination through any local
agency, such as handling by the vendor, was reduced to a minimum.
Some degree of metallic contamination was found in certain of the
shellfish examined, but it should be borne in mind that such metallic
content is normally to be found in shellfish and no ground was found
for legal action in the matter since the origin was natural.
I consider that in the circumstances the possibility of trouble
arising from the local sale of shellfish is not of a serious order so long
as it is appreciated that the utmost care must be exercised from the
time of production to the time of consumption.
Meat Inspection.
The decontrol of meat rationing saw the opening of a private
slaughterhouse in the district. This had been preceded by considerable
activity culminating in the approval of the local court being given to
the re-opening of the slaughterhouse.
The situation in Hornchurch is perhaps unusual in that pre-1939
only a very small number of private slaughterhouses were in existence
and this fact lessened the embarrassment which might have been caused
when the resumption of private slaughtering again became possible in
1954. There is no doubt that from an aesthetic point of view—if such
a term could ever be deemed appropriate in such a connection—the
siting of private slaughterhouses in the developed parts of an urban
district as, for example, where there are houses in close proximity or
near a shopping centre would certainly not seem really desirable, and
in this connection one tends to regard the subject broadly and without
especial reference to the merits of any particular case. Having said