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other than those relating to importation, so far as relates to any
foodstuff to which an Order in Council under the Act applies.
These are administered by my department. As much of the work
can be done whilst visits are being made for other purposes, it
does not entail a great deal of time.
The Act requires that an indication of origin is given in the
case of certain imported goods. During the War the Ministry of
Food exercised emergency powers to suspend the Marking Orders
relating to eggs, bacon, butter, dried fruit, meat and poultry and,
by Directions made in May, 1950 these suspensions were continued
(except for eggs) until 31st May, 1951.
A few cases were found where foreign apples or tomatoes
were not labelled as such and verbal warnings were given.
SMOKE ABATEMENT.
This is not a district where there is a large number of
factory chimneys and it is not long before I hear about one of
them offending by issuing smoke or grit. During the year investigations
have had to be made into several instances where trouble
has occurred. I have found factory managers and employees in
general are most anxious that no nuisance shall occur but circumstances
sometimes arise when they are more or less helpless. The
trouble at one factory which was still under close investigation at
the end of the year was due to the fact that the fuel being used was
waste products of the factory (wood shavings and chips, saw-dust,
etc.). Special apparatus was installed but this did not altogether
stop grit emission and, unless the stoker was constantly on the
look-out, black smoke also. Experiments were being conducted to
try and abate this nuisance.
SHOPS ACT.
I have little to report under this heading. One or two warnings
regarding minor offences were given.
During the year an Order in Council namely "the Shops (Revocation
of Winter Closing Provisions) Order 1952, revoked such of
the provisions of section 2 and 6 of the Shops Act, 1950, as prescribe
the general closing hours of shops in winter; accordingly the
general closing hours will now be the same throughout the year.