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War Damage (Drains)
The annual report for 1947 put on record the fact that the Borough
Council were relieved of their duty as agents for the War Damage Commission
but it is interesting to note that during the year 1948 quite an
amount of drainage work was executed which was attributed to enemy action
and, further, some of the cost was allowed by the War Damage Commission
as being that expended in making good defects caused by enemy action.
One feels that it may be many years before the effects of war are
finally made good, for it is only when drainage gives trouble that one is
able to discover defects due to bombing. Delay in making good is inevitable
because to be fair with all concerned, the assessors to the War Damage
Commission must be given an opportunity to see the pipes before they are
removed. In this direction one must record good co-operation from the
officers of the War Damage Commission.
War Damage (General)
When dealing with repairs to property in general, it is quite common
to note that many owners of property take no action to get their legitimate
war damage rectified until a notice is served upon them either under the
public Health Act or the Housing Act. They then request that the notices
be held over until their claim is met and what is more, they expect the
officers of the Commission to give a quick decision. In fact, it is difficult
for those officers, so many years after the cessation of hostilities, to
differentiate between damage due to enemy action and dilapidations due to
age of the property and lack of proper maintenance.
Training Scheme for Sanitary Inspectors
Further to details given in the 1947 Report, it can be recorded that
during the year further trainees were received into the department and
assisted by the Sanitary Inspectors. It is pleasing to think that most of the
Pupils were successful at their first examination attempt.
Inspections carried out by Sanitary Inspectors
Infectious disease enquiries including enquiries in respect of scabies 63
Visits in connection with contacts, etc. 12
Enquiries in connection with food poisoning 3
General environmental Public Health
Drains and public sewers inspected 531
Tests to drains and public sewers 123
Stables and manure pits inspected 8
Tents, vans and sheds (including gipsy encampments) 24
Requisitioned houses inspected and visited 1,788
Smoke observations 9
Visits to Council tip 3
Schools inspected 5
Shops Act inspections 27
Petrol installations 21
cinemas 1
Miscellaneous Visits 155
15