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5
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the Annual Report on the
health and sanitary state of Battersea for the year 1919.
I returned from Military service on the 24th March, 1919,
but the Report deals with the whole of the year from January
to December.
During the war public health activities were necessarily
restricted. Most of the clerical staff were absent on Military
service, and this branch of the department suffered the loss of
two of its members, who sacrificed their lives in the service
of their country. The loss of the Chief Clerk of the Health
Department was a most grievous one. This Officer was most
accomplished, useful and painstaking in the performance of
his duties, his experience and special qualifications fitting him
in every way to perform with efficiency the responsible and
onerous duties he was called upon to carry out.
The year was chiefly memorable from the administrative
standpoint in that it was mainly a period of re-construction
after the war. Strenuous efforts were made to bring the department
back to its pre-war activities. These efforts were, on
the whole, very successful, and their success is reflected in
the results of the year's work as outlined in this Report, notwithstanding
the heavy volume of new work requiring
attention following recent legislative activity, especially in
the direction of Housing and the care and welfare of women
and young children.
I have to acknowledge the support given me by the
Health, Housing, and Maternity and Child Welfare Committees
of the Council. To my colleagues the Chief Officers of the
Council, and to the staff of the Public Health Department,
my thanks are also due for assistance always willingly
rendered.
G. Quin LENNANE.
Town Hall,
Lavender Hill, S.W.11.