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SHOPS ACTS, 1934.
Under this Act 208 inspections were made during 1937, and in 14
cases action was necessary in regard to ventilation and temperature.
SMOKE ABATEMENT.
It was not found necessary to take formal action to abate
nuisances arising from the emission of smoke during the year, but 1
case was dealt with informally.
SWIMMING BATHS.
There is only one swimming bath in the district, that being
situated at, and owned by, the Royal Female Orphanage, Beddington.
In addition to the residents of the Orphanage, it is used by a Swimming
Club, and by children from elementary and other schools.
During the year a number of visits were paid and one sample was
taken of the water, which is chlorinated, and which proved to be
satisfactory.
ERADICATION OF BED BUCS.
During the year bed bugs were found to exist in 2 Council houses
and in 5 other houses.
The premises were disinfested either by the tenant or owner of the
affected house or by the Council. The latter has not, so far, employed
a contractor to carry out disinfestation.
The methods employed for freeing infested houses of bed bugs are
either:—
1.—Where only a few bugs are found, the tenant of the
house concerned is given advice and required to carry out
remedial measures, in certain circumstances liquid insecticide
and a sprayer being provided, or
2.—Where the infestation is such that the tenant is unlikely
to achieve a satisfactory result, disinfestation is carried out by
the staff of the Council. In these cases, usually entailing the
treatment of rooms, the picture rails, architraves, skirtings and
similar fittings which harbour bugs, are removed or loosened, and,
where practicable, subjected to the flame of a blow lamp, the
rooms being sprayed subsequently with liquid insecticide.
No occasion arose during the year for the fumigation and treatment
of furniture or bedding, but a steam disinfecting plant is available
for the treatment of bedding and clothing, if required.
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