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152
SAFETY.
During the year publicity was given to toys (mainly imported
from abroad) which were contaminated with harmful substances.
Co-operation with the traders concerned and the Home Office
resulted in the withdrawal of crayons and toy tools. Teddy bears
which were examined were found to contain harmless material.
All premises in the Borough engaged in dry cleaning were
visited and managements advised on safety precautions to be observed.
Customers to self-service establishments are advised to thoroughly
air cleaned articles before taking them into the confined space of a
car or before using them.
RIDING ESTABLISHMENTS.
The Riding Establishments Act, 1964 was enacted for the purpose
of regulating the manner in which such establishments are conducted
and in particular the care and welfare of the animals.
There are five riding stables in the Borough which are licensed
under the provisions of the Act and the Department, in collaboration
with the Veterinary Surgeon appointed by the Corporation, carry out
the necessary administrative work.
Following considerable difficulty during 1966, in connection
with a Riding Establishment, proceedings for non-compliance with the
conditions of licence were heard by the Magistrates Court in January,
1967. The premises were in existing use when the Riding Establishments
Act 1964 came into force and a licence with conditions was issued.
In order to give the occupier maximum opportunity in the precise
manner of complying with the conditions, those relative to the accommodation
and drainage were to be to the satisfaction of the licensing
authority". The hearing took place on two days and following a great
deal of legal argument the defence satisfied the magistrates that the
conditions specified were ultra vires, being void for uncertainty and
therefore unenforceable. It was claimed that the conditions must
inter alia set out on the face of licence what the applicant must
achieve otherwise he does not know what is to be done and cannot judge
the reasonableness or otherwise of the requirement in order to accept
it or to exercise his right of appeal. The magistrates made no order
covering costs.
The remaining four establishments were conducted in a satisfactory
manner.