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62
SANITARY SECTION.
This section of the report relating to sanitary circumstances, housing,
food inspection and the general routine work of this section of the Department
has been complied by the Chief Sanitary Inspector, Mr. D.G. Tonkin,
M.S.I.A.
The Section suffered a severe loss during the year by the untimely
death in May of Mr. R„A. Baskett, Chief Inspector. Mr. Baskett served the
Corporation zealously for many years, and his passing was a grievous blow to
his colleagues and a tragic loss to the Corporation generally.
Mr. Tonkin was appointed Chief Inspector in September, and in his stead,
Mr. Pinguey was appointed Deputy Chief Inspector. The resultant vacancy
for a District Inspector had not been filled by the end of the year, and the
Department was, therefore, working under the handicap of one Inspector short
of establishment for the greater part of the year.
There were no inspections or surveys in connection with unfit areas
made during the year, but the Department continued to supply Information to
the Housing Department in respect of the overcrowding position and sanitary
condition of accommodation occupied by applicants for Council houses. The
visits paid for this purpose showed an enormous increase to a figure
approximating 5,000.
Food handling and food premises continued to receive vigilant attention,
and with the help of the Bye-laws made by the Corporation under the Food and
Drugs Act, much ground work was carried out preparatory to the formation of
a Food Hygiene Guild amongst local food traders.
By far the greater part of the Inspectorate's time is concerned with the
investigation of complaints relating to housing defects, together with the
follow-up action to ensure that necessary repairs are carried out. It is
becoming increasingly difficult to persuade owners, particularly those in
receipt of controlled rents, to carry out these repairs, and much extra time
was spent in this direction. Partly by reason of this fact and the shortage
of staff, together with the extra time spent on housing inspections (4,983
compared with 1,886 in 1950) allowing less time for re-inspections (16,422
22,442) the total number of inspections of all classes shows a decrease
compared with the previous year (34,614 - 39,856).
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
SANITARY INSPECTION