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the financial burden placed upon many owners, due to the cost of repairs exceeding
the amount of rents derived from property, means that a proportion of houses
which it is essential should be kept in good repair will the more rapidly deteriorate.
This is indeed one of the most pressing problems of our time.
During a particularly busy year, some 40,000 inspections, including reinspections,
were made by the sanitary inspectors. This is almost 9,000 more than in the
previous year. A new scheme of clerical assistance to the sanitary inspectors was
brought into operation at the beginning of the year, and, being relieved of much
clerical work, the inspectors were able to spend the fullest amount of time on their
technical duties.
During recent years, and particularly during 1950, there has been an increase
in the number of complaints alleging foreign bodies in food. The complaints have
related to: Glass splinters, dirt, a chestnut and a beetle in milk; mites and cigarette
ash in bread; a nail in meat pie; metal in a date slice; glass and flour mites in
bread; a glass splinter in sausage; and maggoty cake.
In several cases there was evidence of carelessness in preparation and in a
number of cases legal proceedings were instituted.
Particular attention has again been paid to the supervision of food premises,
including the cafes, restaurants and canteens, and frequent visits are paid to the
Beresford Square stallholders.
During the year, in order to encourage personal hygiene, the Council decided to
institute a free "wash-and-brush-up" service at the Beresford Square convenience.
At the end of the year, after a six months' trial, the working of the service was
reviewed, and it was found that increased use had been made of the washing facilities.
I believe that the extension of these free facilities to five other major public conveniences
in the Borough will more than justify the small additional expense in
maintaining this service.
The number of animals arriving for slaughter at the one large abattoir in the
Borough has increased by some 14,000 during the last two years. The total number
of animals inspected by Meat Inspectors during the year was 49,945.
Far more time than is usually necessary has been devoted to atmospheric
pollution. There have been numerous complaints of nuisances from smoke and
dust from factory chimneys. Altogether, 450 observations were made during 1950.
Consultations with the management in these cases usually has the effect of reducing
the amount of smoke. However, in the case of three factories in particular, frequent
visits were necessary before there was some improvement.
The Council has again been concerned in the matter of the offensive smells from
the River Thames. This problem has, unfortunately, only a long-term solution.
The first stage of capital works at the Outfalls is now in progress. Following representations
by the Borough Council, the Minister of Health assured the Council
that he will be ready to authorise a further large-scale scheme of improvement in
the autumn of 1951, i.e., before the present improvement work has been completed.
During 1950 there was further evidence of the value of the work being carried
out by the Council with regard to rat destruction. This is clearly shown by the
fact that, whilst 5,000 more inspections were carried out during 1950 than in the
previous year, the number of infested premises found was approximately 500 less
than those found in 1949.
Close co-operation has been maintained with the County Council and the local
hospitals. I have continued to act for the Local Health Authority in the day-today
administration of their personal health services,
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