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8
the public and one in which we are each and all intimately
concerned. I refer to the slaughter which is taking place upon our
roads to-day. Twelve persons met their deaths in this way in
Orpington during the past year, the highest number during the last
five years, and it is surely up to everyone of us to make just that
little bit of extra effort in the way of carefulness, which may make
all the difference between life and death. Not only of course have
we the fatal accidents, but in addition there are a large number of
other mishaps, both major and minor, all adding unnecessarily to
the invalidism in our midst.
One of the outstanding events of the year from the point of
view of the Public Health Committee, occurred on the day on
which the local authority representatives appeared before, and gave
evidence to, the Royal Commission on Local Government in
Greater London. Long before the next annual report is published
it is expected that the Royal Commission will have made their
recommendations and on these may well depend the future
activities of the Public Health Committee. Should the outcome of
these recommendations be that the Committee are given
additional tasks and responsibilities, I am sure they will be accepted
with alacrity.
It is now time for the ever pleasant task of expressing thanks
to a whole host of colleagues who have helped me to fulfil my
tasks during the past year. As always, I am deeply grateful to the
doctors in both the Hospital and General Practitioner services who
have been so co-operative, and to my own deputy, Dr. Kelynack,
who is always so cheerful and efficient my special thanks are due.
Next, I should like to thank Mr. Crowe for his devotion to duty
and to congratulate him on the way he administers the Cleansing
services with a minimum of complaints. To Mr. Weedy and the
other Public Health Inspectors I am also very grateful for their
loyalty and keenness and similar remarks could be made with
reference to the clerical staff.
Finally, the Chairman and Members of the Public Health
Committee have been most helpful and enthusiastic and I am very
thankful to them for their attitude which has I think made our
meetings a happy occasion for all concerned.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
H. B. C. CARTER-LOCKE,
Medical Officer of Health