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9
can only be solved by the building of new houses and which must,
therefore, remain with us for several years to come.
Much is done by the Social Services—both statutory and voluntary
—to assist with the many problems caused by bad housing, but it
is an uphill task and much harm will have been done before the
problem is solved.
Sanitary Circumstances.
The report of the Chief Sanitary Inspector is included in the
Appendix to this Report. Reference to this shows that a very
considerable volume of work has been carried out by the team of
Inspectors and by the Rodent Control Staff. Much of the work
done is connected with complaints made by members of the public
and with inspections of properties made under the Housing, Public
Health, and Factories Acts.
In fact the Sanitary Inspectors are concerned with anything which
may affect the public health and for this reason their duties are
varied and often of a technical nature. In addition to the work
outlined in the Appendix they play a considerable part in the prevention
and spread of infectious disease and in maintaining the
purity of the water supply.
The policy is to obtain improved conditions in houses and business
premises by persuasion and co-operation rather than by resorting
to legal powers. Throughout the year only 42 Statutory Notices
were served and it was only necessary to take legal proceedings in
4 instances.
As far as possible (having regard to the staff available) all food
premises are regularly inspected and advice is given as to desirable
improvements which can be made.
In this way numerous improvements were effected during the
year and in two cases there were major re-constructions of the
premises.
During the year not a single case of food poisoning was traced
to food or meals sold by the traders in Richmond. Some of the
premises may be old and inconvenient but with good management
a high standard of hygiene is maintained. It is satisfactory to be
able to report that conditions generally in our food premises continue
to improve and that they compare favourably with those of any
town in the country.