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L.B. of Merton Smoke Control Orders—
No. 1 1965 Operative date 1.10.66.
No. 2 1965 Operative date 1.11.66.
No. 3 1966 Operative date 1.10.67.
No. 4 1967 Operative date 1.10.67.
No. 5 1966 Order made 19.10.66 and awaiting confirmation.
Area No. 6 Under' survey.
Area No. 7 Under survey.
The area of the Borough covered by Orders either in operation,
confirmed but not operative, or awaiting confirmation is 4,888 acres.
The total number of houses involved in these areas is 25,780. Comparable
figures at the commencement of the year were 4,335 acres and
22,514 houses.
The two Smoke Control Areas under survey at the end of the
year will cover an additional 511 acres with 2,566 houses.
The total number of visits made during 1966 in connection with
the Clean Air Act, 1956, for all purposes, was 12,985.
After the operative date of any Order, observations are made
from time to time by Public Health Inspectors and Technical Assistants
to ensure compliance.
Noise Abatement Act, 1960.
Excessive and unwanted noise is one of the great problems of
modern life, and is often the cause of much suffering. Local authorities
have the power to deal with noise nuisances in certain circumstances,
and this work often involves Public Health Inspectors in
technical problems.
During 1966, 95 complaints regarding noise were received, and
these entailed the making of 279 visits. Many of the complaints
referred to alleged noise nuisance during the night-time, and consequently
the majority of the visits were made outside normal office
hours, in order to make observations and to record Noise Level Meter
readings. All these incidents were dealt with informally, and no legal
proceedings were necessary.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Acts, 1933-1941
One hundred and thirty-seven applications were received for
Certificates of Entry, Retention or Alteration from persons who wished
to sell poisons included in Part II of the Prescribed Poisons List.
The Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926.
Four samples, consisting of basic slag, bone meal, sulphate of
potash and superphosphate, were submitted to the Agricultural Analyst.
The sample of basic slag was found to be unsatisfactory, but
the origin of this substance could not be established. After consultation
with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further
investigation was abandoned.
Housing Acts, 1957-1964.
In accordance with the Ministry of Health Circular 17/55, details
of housing matters are omitted from this Report, but I think that some
reference should be made to the work carried out in this field. Public
Health Inspectors are concerned with Slum Clearance, the repair and
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