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12
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF SANITARY INSPECTOR
FOR THE YEAR 1949.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
of the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present for your consideration
the following Report on the work of your sanitary inspectors for
the year 1949.
It has been written "Health is not valued until sickness
comes". Those words are as true today as when they were
written in the 17th Century, but the state of public health
has changed (for the better) very considerably compared with
those distant days. Having achieved a high standard of health
it is the duty of everyone to do everything possible to maintain
it.
That is the particular sphere of sanitary inspectors,
whose interest is not restricted to any one particular
influence, but embraces all those conditions which might be
associated in the physical sense with a healthy environment.
The very word 'Sanitary' is derived from the Latin root for
'health' It is, therefore, our function to promote and
protect the healthy state, as distinct from the equally
necessary function of curing a state of sickness®
The Report is divided into three sections - Sanitary
Circumstances; Housing; Inspection and Supervision of Food.
It is the thirty-first Annual Report I have had the privilege
of submitting to your Corporation and despite its necessary
brevity, I trust it will prove of interest,,
There was one change of staff. Mr. G.C.Smith, who came
to Kingston in 1940, resigned during the year to take up an
appointment at Richmond as deputy chief inspector.
In June observations were submitted to the Public
Health Committee on obsolescent areas in the Borough The
Report was based upon information gathered over a long
period of years and the intimate knowledge of housing conditions
in this town which can be obtained only by day by
day work in those areas. Apart from general comments, the
Report contained a suggested list of areas or properties,
which may be dealt with under the Housing Acts at the
appropriate time. It is not included in this Annual Report
as there is very little likelihood that the necessary
action envisaged in the comments can be inaugurated in the
near future, but reference is made later in this Report,
under Housing, to the need for a complete survey of housing
conditions.
The arrangement by which all plans, submitted for
Building Bye-Law approval, are made available for perusal
by the sanitary inspectors was continued throughout 1949
This co-operation is very valuable and is fully appreciated.
It avoids difficulties which might arise at a later date
after the new or altered buildings are completed and
occupied.
Yours faithfully,
Guildhall,
Kingston-upon-Thames.
October, 1950.
HAROLD T. PERRY.
Chief Sanitary Inspector.