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SANITARY SECTION AND HOUSING.
Mr. J. E. Austin, M.B.E., Senior Sanitary Inspector, has compiled
this section of the Report relating to Sanitary Circumstances and
Housing, and Statistics in regard to Food Inspection.
Emergency Work.
For the first eight months of the year the normal duties of the
Department were fulfilled although during that period opportunity was
taken to complete the scheme of operations in the event of an
emergency arising from air raids.
In the succeeding months those schemes were well tested, and the
value of thorough and practical preparations realised. Before proceeding
with the normal report which again this year has been abridged, a
brief note of the emergency schemes in operation is included.
It would be impossible to refer to these critters without making
reference to the untiring efforts of the Inspectorate and other staff
who have worked unremittingly to maintain reasonable housing and
sanitary circumstances throughout an unprecedented period.
First Aid Repairs to Houses.
The early execution of first aid repairs to war damaged houses
following raids proved of enormous value in maintaining the morale of
the public in the early raids, and the Department and contractors
worked successfully to this end. The supervision of this work was
carried out wholly by the Sanitary Inspectors during this period. The
number of men engaged at the 31st December 1940 was 800.
Emergency Drainage Repairs.
The sewerage system was never so seriously damaged as to necessitate
the introduction of a conservancy system. The damage to drainage
necessitated close supervision by the Inspectors of sealing off and
extensive repairs of damaged drainage at dwelling houses.
Emergency Water Supplies.
On a number of occasions water for drinking and domestic purposes
has been distributed, from milk churns deposited at wardens' posts.
Fortunately, the period of dislocation of supplies has never been
lengthy. The milk churns were sterilised before use and although the
system is not now practised it proved eminently satisfactory at the time.
Disposal of Civilian War Dead.
The scheme for the collection, reception and disposal of civilian
war dead was supervised by an Inspector .The emergency mortuaries ,which
are of new construction,proved of value in maintaining hygienic conditions.
The arrangements proved adequate and disposal was carried out
with dignity and respect, a feature appreciated by the public.
Removal of Furniture from Damaged Houses.
The scheme for transfer of persons from clearance areas was extended
and the experience gained as municipal furniture removers was
invaluable in the post raid periods. The supervision and administration
of the work of removal,and recording storage was carried out by an
assistant acting under an Inspector.
Public Shelters.
Sanitary conditions in public shelters at no time degenerated
seriously. Instances of dampness in trench systems were remedied, ventilation
in the same system was improved and the bunking of the shelters
did much to eliminate any tendency to overcrowd. Through the
Wardens' Service the frequent removal of bedding from shelters was
enforced, and in only two instances had disinfestation to be carried
out. The necessity for a station whereat bedding could be disinfected
and persons cleansed became apparent, and a scheme was approved in
1941 for this provision.It is pleasing to record that a high state of
cleanliness was maintained in the public shelters generally through
the good work of the shelter cleansing staff of the Borough Engineer.
Rehousing.
Considerable work fell to the Inspectors in ensuring repairs to
houses requisitioned for rehousing purposes.
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