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to fit their main boilers to burn oil fuel and the installation
of oil storage tanks and consequent constructional works was
well in hand at the end of the year. When this is completed
no nuisance should arise from the main shaft and as the boiler
connected with the second chimney will only be used in case
of emergency I hope this trouble may soon be finally abated.
One laundry was the cause of a number of complaints.
This has undoubtedly been due to the burning of sawdust and
wood chips from an adjoining factory. The matter was under
consideration at the end of the year and, although some
improvement has been effected the nuisance then still remained.
From time to time other laundry chimneys have been noted
to be emitting quantities of black smoke. Fuel troubles have
undoubtedly been responsible for much of this.
SHOPS ACT.
The whole of these Acts are administered by my Department
and there appears to have been no instances of intentional
evasion. One case of obvious unintentional contravention of
the weekly half-day closing came to notice and was quickly
remedied when attention was drawn to the matter. No question
arose of the assistants being deprived of their half holiday.
ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
During the year the following number of houses were found
to be infested with bed bugs:—
Infested. Disinfested.
(a) Council houses — —
(b) Other houses 4 4
Soon after being occupied by German prisoners of war
some hutments were found to be badly infested. Fumigation
was impracticable but vigorous treatment with liquid insecticide
containing D.D.T. and D.D.T. powder quickly rid the
places of these vermin. Valuable experience was thus gained
which will prove very useful in dealing with any council
houses found to be infested in the future.