View report page

78
At times during the year the refrigeration equipment used for the
keeping of bodies awaiting postmortem etc. gave cause for concern and
breakdowns were frequent.
Following a report from the specialist engineers who maintain the
equipment that it was worn out the Council approved the cost of complete
renewal.
During the period when the equipment was out of action and also
whilst the new equipment was being installed arrangements were made
with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets who willingly agreed to receive
bodies from Hackney into their mortuary.
ANIMALS
The Council has various responsibilities under Acts relating to
the protection and diseases of animals and arrangements have been made
for the Corporation of the City of London, who employ a Veterinary
Officer and inspectors to undertake the duties in respect of these Acts
on an agency basis, except in the case of the Pet Animals Act, 1951
which the Health department administers direct.
The action taken under two of the five main Acts dealing with
animals is given below:-
Diseases of Animals Act, 1950
The Corporation of the City of London Inspectors make routine
visits to butchers and poulterers but no infringements of the regulations
were reported.
Pet Animals Act, 1951
No new licences were issued. Licences were renewed in respect of
ten premises. Regular visits were made to the premises licensed and
conditions were reported as satisfactory.
No action was called for under the Riding Establishments Act, 1964,
Performing Animals (Regulations) Act 1925 or Animal Boarding Establishments
Act 1963.
RODENT CONTROL
The most difficult infestation to control in a Borough such as
Hackney is that of mice, for whilst the menace of rats can be minimised
by paying strict attention to the state of sewers, disused, unsealed and
defective drains, the reduction of the mice menace where so many variable
factors have to be taken into consideration, particularly in houses in multiple
occupation, provides the Department with a challenge of no mean
magnitude.