View report page

85
(E) Drainage
Complaints of choked or defective drains totalled 632, again a slight
decrease on the previous year (648). In 190 cases it was necessary to
carry out technical tests on the drains. Undoubtedly the service provided
by the Council in clearing without charge main drain blockages saves much
time and worry if not illness even if the odd few are inclined to take
undue advantage of the service.
(f) Fertilisers and Feeding gtuffs Act 1926
10 samples were taken during the year as follows: -
Balancer Meal (4) Copra Meal
Weaning Meal National Growmore
Meat and Bone Meal Fertiliser
Expeller Coconut cake
Weaning Meal.
In 6 instances the Analyst reported slight discrepancies in the vendors
statutory statements, but in three of these the discrepancy was not to the
prejudice of the purchaser.
The attention of the vendor or manufacturer was called to the results
of the analyses in the other cases.
(G) Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act 1951
This Act now brings 13 materials within its orbit as against only rag
flock in the previous Act.
There were eight premises registered for the use of specified materials
during the year, and 1 was licensed for the storage of material.
6 samples were submitted to the Prescribed Analyst as follows:-
Rag Flock 5: Coir Fibre 1.
One sample of rag flock just failed to satisfy the requirements with
regard to soluble impurities but satisfied the other tests and the manufacturer
was cautioned.
(H) Pet Animals Act
22 premises were licensed to keep a pet shop, and inspections of the
premises were carried out to ensure that the conditions of the licence
issued by the Council were observed. In one instance it was found
advisable to seek the advice of the curator of reptiles at the London Zoo
on the question of cruelty to tortoises.
(I) Factories, Workplaces and Outworkers
There was a large increase in the number of inspections this year,
1292 against 300 in the previous year, and the Factory Register was
brought up to date. Conditions generally were satisfactory although in a
number of instances it was found necessary to draw the attention of
occupiers to minor defects.
Outworkers as prescribed by the Act remained at a comparatively low
number, but the need for a revision of the list is evident when it is
found that people preparing articles ancillary to the food trade are not
included.