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Warnings were given in respect of these matters and also in 117
other cases of failing to exhibit notices required by the Shops Act. One
trader was summoned for failing to provide the means for maintaining
a reasonable temperature in the shop, and at the end of the year proceedings
were pending against another trader for failing to comply with a
local Closing Order. In the main, however, traders co-operated in
complying with the requirements of the Shops Acts and seldom was it
necessary for a case to be referred to the Courts.
At shops where oil heaters and fire guards were sold, these appliances
and fittings were examined to ensure that as regards construction they
complied with the Oil Heaters' Regulations 1962 and the Heating Appliances
(Fireguards) Regulations 1953. All examined were satisfactory.
New appliances now present little difficulty as manufacturers appear
to be meeting the requirements of the Regulations but second hand
appliances are sometimes offered for sale and these require close scrutiny.
Environmental Hygiene.
The dumping of refuse and unwanted household articles in accommodation
and service roads and on parcels of undeveloped land continued
throughout the year and gave rise to many complaints. That these were
justified cannot be questioned for the evidence of this selfish unneighbourly
and unhygienic practice was to be seen throughout the Borough. No
Ward was immune and in each from time to time could be found the
discarded bottle, tin, tank, cistern, mattress, cardboard carton, box,
metal frame, pile of garden waste or household article.
The slovenly and thoughtless habits from which this dumping springs
are a matter of serious concern for they reflect the standards of persona!
and general hygiene on which the health of the district and nation depends.
Further, these rubbish deposits provide conditions conducive to the
breeding of flies, mosquitoes, rats and other vermin and therefore present
a challenge to the public health worker and indeed to all who appreciate
cleanliness and strive for improved standards of living.
Unfortunately there is no simple solution to this problem of dumping.
Health education undoubtedly has a part to play and numerous ideas and
suggestions could be put forward that might help, for example the establishment
of centres where garden waste and unwanted bulky articles
could be received but until Local Authorities are able to adopt a more
generous attitude to the removal of refuse it appears dumping will continue.
I would like to see all the refuse a household produces taken without
charge by the Local Authority. I would also like to see more retuse
removed from business premises and the sweeping by the Council of all
service roads. Far too much trade waste is disposed of by burning in
small yards or in bins that are placed in service roads. Far too much is
retained in boxes in the hope that it will be taken at a convenient time by
one or other of the carriers calling to deliver goods.