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DECEASED PERSONS.
Mortuary. Ten bodies were received in the Council's
Mortuary during the year.
Inquests. Inquests were held on 49 residents of the
Borough, 3 of whom were children under five years of age:
9 deaths were due to suicide, 22 were accidental, and 18
due to other causes (2 natural causes, 10 misadventure,
2 open verdict, 1 manslaughter and 3 murder).
Burials. Section 50 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, placed a duty on the Council to arrange for the
burial of any persons found dead within the borough, where
no private arrangements have been made.
Twenty-six such burials took place during the year at
a cost of £240. Of this amount £160 was recovered from
the estates of the deceased persons, leaving £80 falling
to the cost of the Council.
FREE WASHING FACILITIES.
The public availed themselves in increasing numbers
of the Council's provision for free washing facilities in
public conveniences, some 40,000 free washes being taken
during the year. This service was established last year
to promote food and personal hygiene and cleanliness.