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NOISE NUISANCES
Complaints of noise are dealt with in accordance with section 313, Middlesex County Council Act,
1944, as outlined in the 1950 annual report.
There were five complaints of the amount of noise from factories during the year. Three of the
nuisances were dealt with as follows:—
(a) A firm were working with sheet metal, etc., in an open yard and were producing a clanging noise during
the evenings and on Sundays. The neighbours complained, and after consultation with the Health
Department, the management have arranged for the work to be restricted to normal hours and for it
to be carried out mainly within the factory.
(b) A firm making cutlery had machinery which produced much noise and vibration. A recognised noise
consultant was recommended to the firm by the Health Department. In accordance with his advice,
the firm mounted the machinery on resilient mountings and the noise and vibration were reduced
considerably.
(c) A motor garage servicing taxi cabs during the night disturbed nearby residents with the noise of the
running of motor engines and the raising and lowering of a mechanical hoist. Representations by the
Public Health Department produced a considerable reduction in the amount of noise.
The other two cases of noise nuisance are being dealt with by structural alterations of the factory
buildings.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948
Generally speaking, it has become easier to obtain hospital admission for an aged patient, and the
geriatric physician and his special almoner work closely with the area and borough health departments.
Hostel admission for the aged and infirm has become, if anything, even more difficult, and the ever-growing
waiting lists are reduced more often by death than by admissions to suitable homes. The extension of
preventive work in keeping old people up and about as long as possible has made great strides during the year.
The lead has been taken by the Willesden Old Folks' Association which was sponsored by Alderman H.
Marshall, the Mayor, in 1950. This organisation is now responsible for a visiting service (40 old people are
already receiving regular visits from voluntary workers), the establishment of old peoples' clubs, Christmas
parties, assisting other charities in distributing parcels, supplying wireless sets, arranging " meals on wheels,"
etc. In short, it has accepted the responsibility of co-ordinating the work of the care of the aged in the
borough, and is thus relieving hospitals and hostels of the heavy strain of long waiting lists, by easing the
burden of the care of the aged in their own homes.
Details of One Case Dealt With in 1951
Mr. P.
Mr. P. was living with his step-daughter, who was at work all day. He was a very feeble old man
and was not safe to be left by himself during the periods his step-daughter was at work. The Court
order was obtained on the 17th September, 1951, and he was admitted to Central Middlesex Hospital on the
18th September, 1951. He died in that hospital on the 3rd October, 1951.
Burial of Destitute Dead
During the year arrangements have been made for the burial of 8 persons in accordance with section 50
of the National Assistance Act, 1948, at a total cost of £77 14s. 9d.
Public Mortuary
420 bodies were dealt with at the Mortuary as follows:—
Post-mortems 420
* Post-mortems and inquests 78
* Adjourned inquests 44
* Included in the 420.
Licensing of Hawkers
On April 1st, 1951, hawkers of food and premises used by them for storage accommodation became
liable for registration under section 11 of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1950. 17 hawkers were
registered in 1951.
Common Lodging Houses
In December, 1950, the keeper of the common lodging house at 1 and 2, Malvern Gardens applied for
renewal of his licence but stated that he could not carry out works required under the Public Health Act
and the bye-laws to render the premises fit. His licence was therefore renewed for the period of six months
pending a decision on the future use of the premises.
After due consideration, the Council were of the opinion that the premises were unfit for human
habitation and were not capable of being rendered fit at a reasonable expense. The freeholder and the leaseholder
of the premises were interviewed and they indicated that they wished to terminate the use of the
accommodation as a common lodging house and to use the premises for an alternative purpose. The Council
finally accepted the proposal submitted by the owner for the use of these premises for storage purposes as an
alternative to their demolition, and the registration was renewed for a further period of one month in order
to give the occupiers every opportunity to find alternative accommodation.