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SHOPS ACT, 1950. The general administration of the Shops Act, 195O was carried out by the
Department until the retirement of Mr.Genery on 4th October, when the duties were transferred
to the Weights and Measures Department.
During the period, 1st January to 4th October, 2,150 visits were made when it was
found that in general, the provisions of the Act were being adhered to. Contraventions
which were discovered were of a minor nature and were dealt with either verbally or by
warning letter.
FLOODING, NIGHT OF 31st January and 1st February.
On the Monday following the disastrous flooding of parts of Ordnance and Tidal Basin
Wards on the above night, I directed the Sanitary Inspectors to make a house to house survey
of the effected area to assess the damage to the dwellings and to give advice and assistance
wherever possible. During the days that followed the Inspectors arranged for the removal of
wet mattresses and bedding to the laundries of the local hospitals for drying and for the
return of these articles to the householders.
Many mattresses were examined and when found to be beyond repair certificates were
issued for replacements. Certificates were also issued in cases of hardship for a gift of
coal from the Mayor's Fund. The Inspectors also attended to a large number of requests from
food traders to examine and condemn foodstuffs contaminated and damaged by the flood water.
On Monday, 9th March, the Sanitary Inspectors and clerical staff of the Section,
together with volunteers from other Departments, 37 in all, commenced an investigation
into the 1,037 claims for compensation. The great majority of these claims were investigated
and amounts assessed within the same week.
I wish to place on record my appreciation of the work performed by the Sanitary
Inspectors and others during this very trying period. They worked with a will and were
obviously anxious to alleviate as far as humanly possible the distress of the flood
victims. There was a ready response when volunteers were required for duty during evenings,
Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
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