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gardens and on building sites rather than to industrial chimneys. The
few complaints made of smoke emission from factory chimneys were
properly investigated and the advice given generally resulted in the
desired improvement. No legal proceedings were taken in the year
for any contravention of the Clean Air Act.
7. Diseases of Animals Act, 1950.
Outbreaks of foot and mouth disease were much lower in the
country in 1962 when only 5 outbreaks were confirmed (compared
to 103 in the previous year). Richmond was not included in an
infected area and no case of the disease occurred in the Borough.
8. Petroleum Spirit Storage.
Forty-seven premises are licensed to store petrol and petroleum
mixtures totalling 85,940 gallons. The licence conditions provide that
storage tanks be tested in the 20th, 25th and 30th year after installation
and thereafter in every second year. Thirty-five tanks were tested
and found satisfactory.
During the year petroleum spirit storage was discontinued at three
premises and petroleum mixtures storage at one premises.
New licences were granted for the storage of petroleum mixtures
at two premises.
9. Caravan Sites.
The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960 came
into operation during the year. The Act gives local authorities
effective powers for controlling sites so that they may be properly
equipped and conducted and permitted only in acceptable places.
There is, in the Borough, only one licensed site which accommodates
three caravans.
10. Shops Act, 1950.
A number of enquiries are dealt with each year about general
closing hours and Sunday trading and the advice given is usually
acted upon with confidence. The co-operation of shopkeepers in
dealing with the complexities of the Act has never been lacking, and
for this reason it is regrettable to report that legal proceedings were
necessary in one case last year for persistent contraventions of the
Sunday trading law. Fines amounting to £23 with five guineas' costs
were inmposed.