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10
To the Chairman and Members of the
Bar net Rural District Council.
Mr. Chairman, Madam and Gentlemen,
My second annual report, abridged in accordance with the
recommendations of the Ministry of Health, has been pruned and
attentuated ad nauseam ; it goes to press in the semblance of a
catalogue, tabulated statement upon tabulated statement, dull
and spiritless. Nevertheless, its compilation has been a pleasant
task, and though the crust is not so nicely browned as I would
wish, the pie is full of meat !
Duties in connection with billeting and rehousing developed
apace towards the close of the year when there was a considerable
influx into the district of homeless persons and certain priority
classes from evacuation areas. The work involved made
tremendous inroads into my time and in the multiplicity of other
civil defence duties which were assigned to me there were
moments when I might almost have forgotten that I was
primarily a sanitary inspector. Indeed I hope that ultimately,
when the tumult and the shouting have died, such I shall be,
wholeheartedly and unfettered. For vital public health work
must and shall go on ; wars and rumours of wars retard the
ennobling pursuit but cannot subdue it. Not once, even in
the thick of these extraneous obligations, have I been tempted
to apostrophize the spirit of public health with the words of
Henry V's admonition to Falstaff—" I know thee not, old man ;
fall to thy prayers " !
Two years in your service have heightened my indebtedness
to my colleagues for their ungrudging co-operation and as I
place my report in your hands I cannot but reiterate with
renewed sincerity my profound gratitude to you for your continued
confidence and support.
I have the honour to remain,
Mr. Chairman, Madam and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
A. D. S. Blackhall.
Sanitary Inspector.