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15
PROVISION OF MEALS.
260,822 meals were supplied in 1936 as compared with 249,509 in 1935, 241,905 in 1934, 197,338
in 1933, 197,821 in 1932 and 138,361 in 1931.
The recipients of these meals are mainly children of the unemployed, widows and deserted
wives.
HOME NURSING SERVICE.
The Home Nurse employed by the Council nursed 430 cases during the year, and in connection
with such cases paid 4,543 visits. 1,958 of these visits were paid in the Carlton Ward, 1,020 in
the Kilburn Ward, 451 in the Mapesbury Ward, 182 in the Harlesden Ward, 160 in the Neasden Ward,
153 in the Willesden Green Ward, 144 in the Cricklewood Ward, 137 in the Kensal Rise Ward, and
smaller numbers in the other wards of Willesden.
Of the 430 cases nursed during the year, 424 were new cases. 382 of these 424 new cases were
referred by the Health Department for nursing, 24 by private doctors and 18 by Hospitals, Associations
and private persons.
Ophthalmia neonatorum received 88 visits and other ophthalmia cases 704 visits.
SANITARY WORK.
The approximate number of houses in Willesden at the end of 1936 was 33,034, smaller flat
contained under one roof being counted as one house, larger flats in blocks being counted separately.
During the year the total number of inspections and re-inspections made by the Sanitary
Staff was 27,984 as compared with 27,449 in 1935.
The houses inspected under the Housing Acts numbered 1,237 as compared with 1,249 in 1935.
The number of complaints received 3,265 as compared with 1,168 in 1935, shows an increase
50 per cent.
The total number of Notices issued and nuisances abated were 4,874, and 25,206 respectively.
Work done under the Housing Acts is shown in the tabular statement in the body of the Report .
The above is exclusive of work carried out in connection with Clearance Areas.
Housing.—The Health Department ever since the passing of the Public Health Act, 1875,
has been concerned with the housing conditions of the people. The work of the Department has
from time to time been extended by the various Housing Acts which have been passed, beginning
with the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1885, and ending at present with the Housing Act of 1936.
Many complaints reach the Department as to nuisances in connection with dwelling houses
and these complaints generally are dealt with under the nuisance sections of the Public Health Act,
1875. The work is carried out in the vast majority of cases by an intimation notice served by the
sanitary inspector and recourse to legal proceedings is only required in relatively few instances.
The main work, however, of the Department relative to housing, comes under the Housing
Acts. Under the Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 and 1932. the Department is enjoined to
make regular routine inspections of the houses in the Borough. This has been carried on now for a
number of years and the average number of houses which have been inspected per annum during the
past ten years is approximately 1,200. As a result of these inspections the necessary work to make the
houses fit for human habitation is carried out by notice served by the Department. Again the great
majority of such notices are complied with, legal proceedings as a rule being unnecessary.
Clearance.—As a result of the operation of the various Clearance and Compulsory Purchase
Orders 241 families will be displaced.
The re-housing of these families has proceeded as the new flats and houses became ready for
occupation and by the end of May, 1937, practically all the houses in the areas concerned will have
been vacated. For various reasons many of the families have not accepted the accommodation
offered and the surplus houses built in connection with the slum clearance scheme are being allotted to
families outside clearance areas who are overcrowded. It is the adopted practice of the Council to
disinfest the furniture and bedding of all families leaving privately-owned dwellings for Council houses.
The furniture is treated with hydro-cyanide and the bedding steam disinfected.