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It should be emphasised again that the type of offence most
difficult to detect is that in connection with the "mixed" shop,
where exempted and non-exempted goods are sold. Observations
are kept over long periods without an offence being detected,
whilst at the same time it is known that breaches of the
Act are being committed. it is more in the nature of an
accident that an offender is caught red-handed, and in such
a case it is usually followed by a plea of a first offence.
The hawkers who come into the district on the weekly
half-holiday continue to receive attention, and quite a number
received written warnings from the Department that further
contraventions would result in proceedings being taken
against them.
Some difficulty was experienced in connection with canvassers
making house to house calls for orders on the weekly
half-holiday. In each case the canvasser was warned and a
communication was afterwards sent to the employer, setting out
details of the contravention.
The Shops Act, 1934, which came into operation on the
30th December, 1934, has added considerably to the work of
the Local Authority, particularly in connection with the employment
of "young persons."
An additional duty has been placed upon the Local
Sanitary Authority by Section 10 which deals with the
health and comfort of shop workers. This section requires
the provision of sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences,
washing facilities, etc.
In order to comply with the Act it is necessary for a
complete inspection to be made of all shops in the district.
An additional Inspector was appointed to the Department
early in the year and every effort is being made to complete
the survey as soon as possible.
On the 14th July, 1937, two additional Acts, the Shops Act,
1936, and the Retail Meat Dealers' Shops (Sunday Closing)
Act, 1936, received the Royal Assent. The former provides
for the application of the Shops Acts, 1912 to 1934 to premises
and places where the business of lending books or periodicals
is carried on for purposes of gain. The second Act provides,
subject to certain exceptions, for the compulsory closing of
retail meat trading shops and stalls on Sundays.
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