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46
REGISTRIES FOR FEMALE DOMESTIC SERVANTS.
Only two premises are registered in connection with the existing
legislation.
General observations are made with a view to ascertaining any
premises displaying notices of any kind showing that a registry
office is carried on at any premises, and if it is found that the
proprietor is not registered, the necessary report is made. There
are many shops with window advertisement boards which have to
be continuously watched for the purpose mentioned.
RETAIL MARKET.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector, Mr. G. R. Woods, assumed
control of the market at the end of January, 1955. It was then
evident that the market could be improved and better supervised
to the financial benefit of the Local Authority.
Mr. Woods made various recommendations to the Health
Committee which were adopted as follow :— the roof and louvre
back to the open shelter were made watertight, new stall boards and
trestles were provided, the area was re-surfaced, additional dustbin
accommodation was made available and the layout of the stalls
improved to allow for additional stallholders. Constant hot water,
liquid soap and paper towels were provided in the lavatories. The
takings were doubled within three months, and have been steadily
rising since.
The Borough Treasurer reported that for the first six years
after the war, there was an annual loss on the market which varied
from £20 in 1948/1949 to £225 in 1950/1951. Since then there has
been an annual surplus, and the balance in hand at the end of
March, 1956, was about £375. Each year since the war, the income
has steadily increased from £75 in 1945/1946 to £1,149 in the year
ended 31st March, 1956.
Further improvements which will be suggested are the provision
of a further shelter cover for the protection of the public and
stallholders during inclement weather, and also the adaptation of
a room in the hut for the sale of refreshments.
The results of the first year's working under the new administrative
arrangements can only be described as startling, and I am
most grateful to Mr. Woods whose energy, drive and initiative have
contributed so materially to this great success,