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56
SANITARY SECTION 1958/59
This section of the report relating to sanitary circumstances, housing, food inspection, clean
air and general routine work of the section has been completed by the Chief Public Health Inspector,
Mr. D.G. Tonkin, M.P.H.I.A.
The staff position was once more very disturbing, two Inspectors resigned in April, 1958 and one
in September 1959, and at the end of the period they had not been replaced. This threw a very heavy
strain on the remaining staff as legislation of recent years has tended to throw more responsibilities
on to the department. The public continue to look upon the office as a place where they may unburden
themselves of a multifarious number of complaints but are undoubtedly appreciative of the services
rendered them. The section was also used considerably by students from technical colleges or Inspectors
from abroad seeking to broaden their outlook in sanitation or hygiene matters. The section of the East
Ham Corporation Act dealing with noise and vibration has proved very useful though some complainants are
proned to over emphasize the alleged nuisance.
In 1958, the Florence Road Clearance Area comprising 46 houses was reported upon, and in 1959 the
Crescent Road Area of 58 houses was similarly reported, and after Public Enquiries to consider objections,
the Minister confirmed the Orders. There still remains a vast amount of slum clearance to be carried
out, and it is to be hoped that the staffing position will improve. One house was made the subject of
a Closing Order and it is indicative of the housing position that up to one dozen persons have since
called at the office with a request that they be allowed to carry out some repairs to the house that
they might rent it for their own occupation.
ANNUAL REPORT, 1958
(A) Inspections
The number of inspections of all classes 22,622
(i) Housing
Public Health Act 5,199
Re-inspections 6,643
Housing Act, 1936 2,172
Rent Act, 1957 1,439
Clean Air Act 55
Smoke nuisances-observations 105
(ii) Sanitary Circumstances
Yards and passages 57
Drainage and sanitary accommodation 1,909
Drainage tests 197
Caravans 61
Offensive smells 4
Miscellaneous 844
Factories (excluding bakehouses) 212
Workplaces and Outworkers 197
Places of public Entertainment 332
(iii) Food Supply
Milk and Dairy premises 72
Ice cream premises 204
Food premises, general and unsound food 1,195
Cafes and restaurants 167
Bakehouses 40
Itinerant Food vendors and stalls 398
Sampling 552
Slaughterhouses 195
(iv) Diseases of Animals Act
Visits 85
(v) pet Animals Act
Visits 17