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38
ventions of the Shops (Hours of Closing) Act, 1928, being observed;
of these, 20 were first offences and the remaining 8 were the subject of
reports to the Public Health Committee.
The Defence Regulations restricting the general closing hours on
Saturdays to 7.30 p.m., on other evenings of the week to 6 p.m., came
into operation as in previous years on the first Sunday in November.
The hours laid down by these Regulations remain the closing hours
until March, 1950, when the hours as laid down by the Shops (Hours of
Closing) Act, 1928, came into operation.
Most of the 28 contraventions as to the hours of closing occurred
during the period when the hours as laid down by the Defence Regulations
were in operation.
Other contraventions reported by the Shops Acts Inspector included
six cases of hawkers retailing fruit and vegetables on Wednesday afternoons
(after 1 p.m.) in the Wealdstone area in contravention of the
Wealdstone Fruit and Vegetables Order; five cases of shop assistants
being employed on the afternoon of their weekly half-holiday; and
three cases where ladies' hairdressing saloons failed to close for one halfday
in each week. In respect of all these contraventions, warnings
were given.
As a result of visits made by the Shops Acts Inspector, 45 shops
were redecorated and 155 requests for other repairs and improvements
were made and complied with.
At the end of the year there were 2,265 shops on the register, an
increase of 35 on the previous year.
Smoke.
Four complaints were received during the year of nuisances arising
from smoke emitted from business or factory premises.
In one case a grit arresting plant was installed and in another the
factory management agreed to the fuel being changed from coal to coke.
In the other two cases lapses in stoking were found to be the cause of the
trouble.
During the year 15 observations were made of factory chimneys.
Rat Infestation.
During the year 1,023 complaints of rats or mice were received.
Although this number is an increase of 257 over that received for 1948,
it is felt that this is due to the introduction during August, 1948, of the
free service and not to an increase in the rat population of the district.
That the destruction service is free for private dwellings is becoming more
widely known and householders now notify generally without any delay,
the presence or suspected presence of rats or mice.
On two occasions during the year, sections of the sewers were
treated, but as in previous years no evidence of any serious infestation
was found.