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33
(iv) Shops.
The Shops Act, 1934, which came into operation in
December of that year, brought about several alterations and
improvements of the existing law, particularly as regards the
working hours of young persons under 18 years of age and the
health and comfort of all shop workers.
Notice of the coming into operation of the Act, in the form
of a circular under the signature of the Town Clerk, drawing
attention to the main provisions of the Act and also to the fact
that the Home Office had placed on sale a "Memorandum on
the Shops Act, 1934" for the information and guidance of
shop-keepers, together with a pamphlet setting out a short
Summary of the law relating to shops (Shops Acts, 1912, 1913,
1928 and 1934) was circulated to all shop-keepers within the
Borough.
At the same time a questionnaire was circulated, as by
this means it was thought to save the time of the shop-keepers
and facilitate the work of inspection. Subsequently these were
collected and a card system of office records introduced, and
during the earlier months of the year all shops were inspected.
The new Act called for the display of certain official notices
in the shops and, in order to assist shop-keepers in complying
with the requirements of the Act at the earliest possible date,
the Council authorised the supply of such notices where they
were found to be required at the time of inspection.
The shop-keepers showed willing co-operation and, in the
few cases where contraventions of the Act were found to exist,
at once rectified the matter on having their attention drawn to
same.
No prosecutions were found to be necessary.
9v) Smoke Abatement.
Having regard to the large number of factories and
industrial concerns situated within the Borough, the number of
complaints of, or smoke nuisances observed, were remarkably
small. Most were of a minor character due to carelessness in
stoking or the breakdown of plant. The newer type of factory
in the Great West Road area gives little trouble in this respect.