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051497e6-4d6c-4ec5-b8e7-809b06bcc92a | THE WORSHIPFUL THE MAYOR (Councillor J. W. Andrews, j.p., l.c.c./ Councillor G. E. Offord (Chairman) Councillor L. A. Heath (Vice-Chairman) Aldermen— Mrs. J. E. Carroll E. A. J. Dickerson Mrs. E. R. M. Middleton Councillors— T. G. Blann Mrs. A. E. Maxwell Mrs. S. M. Bradley Miss M. N. Rees Mrs. E. G. Bunce A. E. Starkey G. S. Dean Mrs. E. M. Wood W. R. Kennett S. W. Wood 2 PREFACE To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich. Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have pleasure in submitting the Fifty-fourth Annual Report on the health and sanitary conditions of the Borough of Woolwich. |
977cccb1-5767-4d38-9f1a-da6a98e92c6d | It is compiled in accordance with the outline of the Ministry of Health. On the Registrar General's estimates there has been a reduction in the home population of 2,100 during the last two years. With regard to vital statistics, the year 1954 was a year of new low records so far as the Borough of Woolwich was concerned. There were fewer births than in any year since 1945, and the birth rate of 13.5 was the lowest since 1933. The corrected birth rate was 13 3 compared with 15.2 for London and also for England and Wales. Similarly, the year saw a reduction compared with the previous year's figure of 126 in the total Woolwich net deaths registered, and this was reflected in the death rate for the year (9-6) which is the lowest ever recorded in Woolwich. The previous lowest was 9 9 in 1923 and in the years 1926 and 1935 it was 10-2. |
0cce831a-c65c-4984-b6fa-30d85fe9b8b1 | The adjusted death rate for Woolwich was 9.5, compared with 10 9 for London, and 114 for England and Wales. Slightly less than half of the total deaths occurred in hospital. Once again diseases of the heart and other circulatory diseases accounted for a large proportion of the total deaths. Most of the remaining deaths were from cancer, and other principal causes of death were pneumonia, bronchitis and diseases of the nervous system. There was again a reduction in the number of deaths from tuberculosis, this being a continuation of the post-war trend in this disease. Whereas at the end of the last war nearly 100 Woolwich deaths each year were classified as deaths from tuberculosis, last year there were only 21 fatal cases. This gave a percentage of tuberculosis deaths against all deaths in the Borough of 14, compared with six per cent. in 1944. |
c4fe0bb7-b33c-4753-80e0-f520012e25e7 | It is pleasing to report the remarkable decrease in the number of infant deaths; only 37 being reported in the Borough last year compared with 48 the previous year, and as many as 102 in 1938. In that year the infant death rate per 1,000 net births was 50; in 1953 it had dropped to 22.9 and in 1954 it has fallen to the remarkable figure of 18.1. Of the 37 deaths occurring during the year, 23 of the children died under the age of one week. Many were cases where owing to congenital defects the child could not have been expected to live. The Borough had a quiet year so far as infectious diseases were concerned, and there is little which calls for comment. Notifications of scarlet fever were again reduced. There were several more cases of puerperal pyrexia notified, mainly because of the revised definition of the disease, and the increase in the number of maternity beds available in hospitals in the Borough. |
8f06bcd0-5101-4cf9-88f8-a68890e3db0e | I am pleased to report that after the relatively high number of notifications of poliomyelitis received during the years since the end of the last war, for the second year in succession the Borough has experienced little trouble in this respect. 3 No confirmed cases of diphtheria were reported, and very few cases of food poisoning. Measles was not present in epidemic form. During the mid-summer a mild attack of sonne dysentery developed locally, several of the patients received hospital treatment, and with the co-operation of medical practitioners those patients remaining at home were kept under observation. The large amount of work undertaken by the Sanitary Inspectors during the year for the remedying of defects and the abatement of nuisances can be realised by a perusal of those parts of the Report dealing with the sanitary inspection of the area, infectious diseases, the inspection and supervision of food supplies, and housing. The amount of food passing through a Borough the size of Woolwich in the course of the year is not always appreciated. |
3229d3cd-2f4c-4ff3-b00e-8ae48a609397 | Apart from the large number of restaurants, cafes and canteens in Woolwich, the large quantity of food-stuffs distributed at the Woolwich Market must also be kept under observation, and in addition the equivalent of three of the Council's Sanitary Inspectors are required to spend the whole of their time inspecting meat after its slaughter at the local Abattoir. Itinerant food vendors and ice-cream premises are also regularly inspected, and 800 food samples are purchased each year for analysis by the Public Analyst. Altogether over 4,600 inspections were made of food shops and food premises in the Borough. Since the outbreak of the last war the Ministry of Food has been responsible, with minor exceptions, for the slaughtering of cattle, sheep and pigs for human consumption. During 1954, however, instead of the system of controlled distribution of meat operated by the Ministry, free marketing of cattle was re-introduced, the purchase of stock again being in private hands when control by the Ministry of Food ended in July. |
f7910bca-0138-47a4-a1bf-14ba67676a32 | However, a large amount of slaughtering continued at the local Abattoir, which had been leased to the Government during the last 15 years and has now reverted to private control. By the end of the year 1954, the Council had begun formal procedure for the clearance of the great majority of the properties included in the agreed slum clearance programme for the period 1951-1956. Included among the properties which were represented to the Council during the year as unfit for human habitation were 138 properties in the Greenlaw Place area. With regard to future slum clearance proposals, a re-survey of the Borough has been carried out by the Council's Housing Inspectors with a view to the formulation of proposals, in conjunction with the London County Council, for the second five-year slum clearance programme. A provisional list of properties to be cleared by the Council for inclusion in this programme has been compiled. |
110618ff-997d-4833-b467-19bf4d91898b | The Borough Council and the County Council are required by the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, within a year of the passing of the Act, i.e., by August, 1955, to submit a joint programme for dealing with all unfit property in the Borough. This Act has re-defined the standards of fitness from a public health point of view. The Act envisages the greater use of the Housing Act procedure for rendering fit those unfit houses which in the local authorities' opinion can be made fit at reasonable expense. Unfortunately, owing to the rise in building costs and virtually no increase in rents, the Section 9 procedure has been of very limited application since the war. Rent increases provided for by the Act of 1954 are small compared with the increase in building costs. |
ecc969e0-7377-4083-bd7f-617b1e17b5d9 | There is at the present time in the Borough a not inconsiderable group of houses which are not so bad as to be representable on the standards adopted; on the other hand, the total defects are such that these houses cannot be fully repaired at reasonable expense, and therefore it would seem that Section 9 procedure will still be of limited application. 4 The plans for the establishment of a joint crematorium at the Eltham Cemetery were approved in principle by the Ministry during the year. The establishment of a crematorium was contemplated before the last war. Owing to restrictions on new building, Government sanction to proceed with the scheme on a Joint Board basis was not received until recently. The crematorium, which will be administered by a joint Committee of the local authorities in the neighbourhood, will provide a service for which there has long been a need in this area, the nearest crematorium being at Honor Oak. In 1954 the Council, without resort to legislation, inaugurated its first smokeless area, and chose for this experiment the St. |
1aa23eb7-c823-4873-b5c1-ef6416eb061a | Mary's Redevelopment Area. The Council decided to make it a Condition of Tenancy in all new lettings in this area that no smoke shall be emitted from these dwellings, and a clause is being included in the Conditions of Tenancy prohibiting the use of solid fuel, other than an approved smokeless fuel, unless the tenant can show that supplies of such fuel are not reasonably obtainable or can show other reasonable grounds for not using smokeless fuel. While this smokeless area relates at the present time to only a small part of the Borough, it is hoped to extend the area as soon as possible, and also that as many private householders as possible will burn only an approved smokeless fuel. The Council's action in giving the lead in the prevention of smoke has been welcomed by many, including a number of private property owners, who have promised to co-operate wherever possible. |
c36dfd97-0b97-46f4-932d-95b0d6802d41 | Some of the practical difficulties which were foreseen by the Council before they inaugurated this smokeless area related to the availability of smokeless fuel, the difficulty of ignition when using coke, and the extra storage space required for smokeless fuel compared with that required for coal. The Council were assured that sufficient supplies of coke would be available. The difficulty regarding storage space is being overcome by the more frequent deliveries of coke by means of a weekly or fortnightly trolley service, and the ignition problem is being met in Council accommodation by the fixing of gas ignition at the hearth. Coinciding with the Council's decision to establish the first smokeless area, the Health Department at the end of 1954 undertook a smoke prevention campaign. It was early realised by the Council that the co-operation of the public was essential to the success of any such scheme; without this support little could be achieved. |
a1f3f696-8cd5-451d-b777-9b10b3950897 | The propagation of information regarding the prevention of domestic smoke was concentrated upon, as it is felt that it is here that smoke abatement propaganda can do most good. In this respect the Council was helped considerably in that their action coincided with the publication of the Government Committee of Inquiry into Air Pollution (the Beaver Report) and the introduction into Parliament of a Private Members' Bill to deal with the subject. Nevertheless, the example set by Woolwich as being the first Metropolitan Borough to set up a smokeless area attracted a good deal of interest, which was not confined to Woolwich alone. The problem is to persuade more and more people to instal modern domestic grates which burn approved smokeless fuel economically and cheerfully without polluting the atmosphere. s? Of other activities being undertaken by the Council, not the least important is the welfare of the elderly. This work assumes greater importance each year as the number of elderly persons in the community increases. |
f8a37f44-6b3c-4eca-a113-a430c7bc99e2 | Details of the many ways in which the voluntary and statutory bodies in the Borough are working for the welfare of the old person are contained in the body of the Report. 5 In conclusion, it is my pleasing duty to thank Members of the Health Committee and the Council generally for the support and kindly consideration they have given and shown throughout the year. I also wish to place on record the efficient manner in which the staff of the Department have carried out their duties at all times during the year. I am. Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, T. STANDRING. HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF Medical Officer of Health— t. standring, m.d., b.s., d.p.h., m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p., f.r.san.i. Administrative and Clerical— Chief Administrative Assistant—T. H. Prescott. Senior Clerk—A. Healey, a.c.c.s. |
01190413-de8f-480b-8b50-5546eaecc3bb | Clerical Assistants-— R. E. Sweett R. H. Thomas, d.f.c. Mrs. E. C. Cooper (resigned 24th January, 1954) Mrs. M. H. Dowding Mrs. W. E. Ellison (commenced duty 8th February, 1954) G. C. Ryan J. E. Kay D. M. Gibbs Mrs. M. N. McEwan K. E. Doubleday Miss E. E. Phillips (resigned 2nd May, 1954) Miss F. E. Gee (commenced duty 17th May, 1954) Sanitary Inspectors— Chief Sanitary Inspector—- C. J. Couch, F.R.San.I., Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Board; Cert. Royal San. Inst.; Cert. Meat and Other Foods; Cert. Smoke Insp., R.S.I.; Cert. |
69f4651d-c25b-4043-b11e-4cfb9d434a33 | Advanced Inspectors, R.S.I. Sanitary Inspectors— F. A. Andrew, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (Senior Food Inspector). H. M. Kersey, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods; Cert. Smoke Insp., R.S.I. (Rodent Control Inspector). F. J. Hoines, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (Food Inspector). W. F. R. Wheal, Cert. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (Housing, etc., Inspector). W. E. McLelland, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. |
84b89e47-65a0-4faa-ad9c-b2432c7548e9 | Meat and Other Foods (Disinfection, Disinfestation and Smoke Inspector). Miss M. F. Thomas, G.M., Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods; State Registered Nurse; State Certified Midwife; Health Visitors' Cert. (Old People's Welfare, etc.. Inspector). E. R. Rees, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (Food Inspector). 6 W. F. N. Troughton, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (Catering Establishments, Milk Premises, etc., Inspector). R. Lincoln, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (Housing and Restaurants, etc., Inspector). K. S. Cooper, Cert. San. Insp. |
ddf4ccca-2767-4825-bb1e-c5bb366c335d | Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (District Inspector). J. A. Orrell, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods; Cert. Smoke Insp., R.S.I. (Food Inspector)— (Resigned 2nd August, 1954). J. B. O'Connell, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board (District Inspector). R. H. Pasterfield, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (District Inspector). H. L. Davies, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board (Food Inspector). J. Hills, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (District Inspector). F. W. Harmsworth, Cert. San. Insp. |
5c220182-75d0-44d6-b875-28cb21f25bbc | Exam. Joint Board (Resigned 31st October, 1954) (District Inspector). J. Hacker, Cert. San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (Food Inspector). J. H. Lott, Cert San. Insp. Exam. Joint Board; Cert. Meat and Other Foods (Commenced duty 17th May, 1954) (District Inspector). Public Analyst (Part-time)— H. Amphlett Williams, ph.d. (lon.). a.c.g.f.c., f.r.i.c. GENERAL STATISTICS Area of Borough 8,282 statute acres Number of Dwellings 41,647 Number of persons per acre 18 0 Rateable Value £1,265,848 Sum represented by a Penny Rate £5,178 VITAL STATISTICS Extracts from the vital statistics for the year, with comparative figures for 1953, are shown below:— Table No. |
981537f4-ea13-49d1-9261-55268e36cebd | 1 1954 1953 Population (Home, i.e., including members of H.M. |
311e0146-2f99-4aae-becb-61b82ce3bcd6 | Forces stationed in the district) 149,700 151,100 Live Births—Legitimate 1,944 1,990 Live Births—Illegitimate 91 100 Total Live Births 2,035 2,090 Birth Rate 135 138 Stillbirths 47 51 Stillbirths—Rate per 1,000 total births 23 1 244 Total Deaths 1,443 1,569 Death Rate per 1,000 population 96 104 Maternal Deaths 1 nil Death Rate from Puerperal Causes per 1,000 total births 49 nil Deaths of Infants under one year 37 48 Death Rate of Infants under one year 18 1 22.9 Deaths from Tuberculosis (all forms) 21 29 Deaths from Cancer (all ages) 288 303 Deaths from acute poliomyelitis nil 3 7 Births. |
6387b506-a86a-4f9b-8148-5b384c889f55 | The number of live births registered in Woolwich during 1954, was 2,298. After correction for inward and outward transfers, the net number of Woolwich live births was 2,035, being 55 less than in the previous year. Of the total births, 1,028 were boys and 1,007 girls. It is known that 1,680 births took place in public institutions in the Borough, of which 1,062 concerned Woolwich mothers. The birth rate was 13.5, which, when adjusted to allow for the differing age and sex distribution of the population in various parts of the country, gives a birth rate of 13.3 compared with the provisional birth rate for England and Wales and also for London of 15-2. There were 47 stillbirths during the year under review. Natural Increase in Population (i.e., Excess of Births over Deaths). In 1954 the natural increase in population was 592. |
c2a75724-8ee6-4ed8-9537-f879da0adeda | In 1953 it was 521 and in 1952 it was 532. Deaths. The number of deaths registered in Woolwich was 1,180, and after correction for inward and outward transfers the net number was 1,443, giving a death rate of 9 6 for the Borough, compared with 10 4 the previous year. The adjusted death rate for Woolwich was 9 5, compared with the provisional figure of 10.9 for London and of 114 for England and Wales. Deaths of Woolwich residents in hospitals in the Borough totalled 350, whilst 318 died in other hospitals outside the Borough. Maternal Deaths. There was one maternal death during the year, and none during the previous year. Inquests. Sixty-four inquests were held on Woolwich residents during the year, and 348 post-mortems on Woolwich residents were carried out on behalf of the Coroner. infant Mortality. |
c0342f47-c42f-415b-a55c-5f276823274a | There was a further reduction in the infant death rate for the year, the rate being 181 compared with 22 9 in 1953. Motor V ehicle Accidents. There were ten deaths of Woolwich residents due to motor vehicle accidents during the year. One of the victims was a child under five, and two accidents concerned persons over 75 years of age, one of whom was struck by a car whilst crossing the street. Other Accidents. Accidents other than motor vehicle accidents were responsible for the deaths of 31 Woolwich residents. Of these, at least 20 were due to falls in the home or to other home accidents, including, for example, burns caused when a woman's clothing was ignited by a gas fire, electrocution, and a fall from the balcony of a flat. Three deaths related to persons who met with accidents at work. One of these concerned a fall from a factory roof and another accident occurred when the falling grab of a mobile crane struck a workman. |
2c32d336-db72-48fc-8ca8-af2cd9a92cf4 | The majority of falls in the home related to elderly persons. Marriages. There were 1,065 marriages in the Borough during 1954, of which 635 took place in Churches; the remaining 430 took place at the Woolwich Register Office. Of the number of marriages which took place in Churches in the Borough, Registrars of Marriages attended on 103 occasions. 8 Deaths from Cancer. Of the total number of deaths, 293 were from Cancer (including five from Sarcoma), being a similar number to the previous year. Of these, 145 occurred in men and 148 in women. More than half the Cancer deaths (193) took place in hospitals. The following tables give details of the number of Woolwich deaths from cancer of the lung and bronchus during 1954. Table No. 2. Woolwich Deaths from Cancer. (including all other specified Malignant Tumours). Year. Men. Women. Total Deaths. |
9bb76081-ca7e-4b82-8f6d-9a66328a1828 | Deaths in Hospitals. 1945 134 133 267 88 1946 123 115 238 143 1947 130 '130 260 135 1948 138 141 279 138 1949 172 128 300 159 1950 175 155 330 173 1951 149 139 288 152 1952 166 151 317 150 1953 184 125 309 169 1954 145 148 293 193 9 Cancer Deaths—Woolwich, 1954. By Age. Age. Males. Females. Total. |
254b2d8e-8889-45ae-8500-7bb1b04f409e | Under 25 years - — — 26 — 30 years - 1 1 31 — 35 years - 5 5 36 — 40 years 1 2 3 41 — 45 years 5 4 9 46 — 50 years 10 11 21 51 — 55 years 10 12 22 56 — 60 years 11 13 24 61 — 65 years 30 15 45 66 — 70 years 19 23 42 71 — 75 years 21 22 43 76 — 80 years 20 23 43 Over 80 years 16 14 30 Total 143 145 288 Table No. 3. Woolwich Deaths from Cancer of the Lung and Bronchus, 1945-1954. Year. Male. Female. Total. Deaths in Hospitals. 1945. |
76441174-051b-405f-8d6d-a5b2efa8e1fb | Lung 17 3 20 7 Bronchus 4 4 8 4 1946. Lung 10 4 14 9 Bronchus 15 2 17 12 1947. Lung 12 7 19 6 Bronchus 18 1 19 15 1948. Lung 13 1 14 3 Bronchus 20 1 21 14 1949. Lung 15 2 17 8 Bronchus 24 5 29 20 1950. Lung 26 4 30 8 Bronchus 33 8 41 36 1951. Lung 17 5 22 9 Bronchus 40 8 48 29 1952 Lung 22 5 27 9 Bronchus 31 10 41 22 1953. |
e3f21cee-cb78-4fa1-8346-8db8e170c8d8 | Lung 16 2 18 9 Bronchus 40 9 49 29 1954. Lung 11 6 17 9 Bronchus 31 8 39 31 Table No. 4. Cancer Deaths (excluding Sarcoma)—Woolwich, 1954. Seat of Primary Disease. Year. Male. Female. Total. Deaths in Hospitals. Stomach 21 23 44 33 Bronchus 31 8 39 31 Lung 11 6 17 9 Breast 2 20 22 12 Colon 6 14 20 13 Prostate 10 — 10 5 Rectum 15 6 21 16 Pancreas 7 3 10 6 Ovary - 13 13 6 Bladder 6 2 8 5 Liver 6 4 10 3 Caecum - 7 7 4 Cervix — |
13dd6d4a-3cb6-4351-890a-de4a9938cff9 | 7 7 6 Oesophagus 6 1 7 5 Glands of Neck — 1 1 1 Jaw 1 1 2 2 Brain 1 1 2 2 Kidney 2 — 2 2 Larynx 2 2 4 4 Throat 1 1 2 2 Pharynx - 1 1 1 Uterus — 10 10 7 Thyroid - 1 1 2 Others and Unspecified 15 13 28 14 Total 143 145 288 191 10 11 Table 5. |
badd28d1-dbfc-446d-b327-01698d399703 | Deaths under 1 year, 1954 The following table gives details of the infant deaths during 1954:- Cause of Death Under 1 week 1-2 weeks 2-3 weeks 3-4 weeks Total under 4 weeks 1 month and under 3 months 3 months and under 6 months 6 months and under 9 months 9 months and under 12 months Total deaths under 1 yr. |
b72ef789-f0f7-4221-bec2-dc9fb24c91bb | Premature Birth 4 - - - 4 - - - - 4 Congenital Malformation 1 - 2 3 6 1 2 - - 9 Broncho Pneumonia 1 1 - - 2 1 1 1 - 5 Atelectasis 6 - - - 6 - - - - 6 Suffocation 4 - - - 4 - - - - 4 Whooping Cough - - - - - - - - 1 1 Cerebral Haemorrhage 1 - - - 1 - - - - 1 Other causes 6 - - - 6 1 - - - 7 29 37 The chief Vital Statistics for the Borough since 1924 are given in the following table :— Table 7 Year Population estimated to middle of each Year Births Nett Deaths belonging to the District Nett Under 1 Year At all Ages Number Rate Number Rate per 1, |
da668de0-0984-466e-b862-e5549df85321 | 000 nett Births Number Rate (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) 1924 a 144,400 2,590 18.5 168 65 1,543 11.0 b 139,980 1925 a 145,440 2,582 18.3 141 55 1,519 10.8 b 140,740 1926 a 146,200 2,463 17.4 107 43 1,450 10.2 b 141,900 1927 a 144,770 2,242 15.9 95 42 1,491 10.6 b 140,770 1928 a 146,600 2,269 16.1 114 50 1,554 11.0 b 141,100 1929 a 146,800 2,312 16. |
13f432a6-789b-4e26-a12b-c9440c5fef52 | 3 144 62 1,780 12 .6 b 141,600 1930 a 146,800 2,188 15.5 91 42 1,547 10.9 b 141,600 1931 a 147,400 2,155 15.1 128 59 1,654 11.6 b 142,600 1932 a 146,400 2,054 14.0 123 60 1,635 11.1 1933 a 146,200 1,857 12.7 116 62 1,634 11.2 1934 a 145,520 2,000 13.7 127 63 1,650 11.3 1935 a 146,400 2,053 14.0 91 44 1,500 10.2 1936 a 146,500 2,017 13. |
71c2789c-4678-472e-88e7-9a1ac5bd1c9f | 8 121 59 1,649 11.2 1937 a 149,400 2,125 14.2 86 40 1,660 11.1 1938 a 150,900 2,057 13 .6 102 50 1,576 10 .4 1939 a 150,800 2,133 14.1 103 49 1,592 11.1 1940 b 124,340 1,846 14.8 66 36 1,854 14.9 1941 b 103,630 1,459 14.0 65 42 1,627 15.7 1942 b 110,140 2,036 18. 5 71 34 1,410 12.8 1943 b 112,700 2,174 19 .3 77 35 1,558 13 . |
298b26e4-e0c5-49e1-831a-5d2e07ad808c | 8 1944 b 110,970 2,037 18.3 83 40 1,611 14.5 1945 b 115,270 2,021 17.5 83 41 1,478 12.8 1946 b 134,420 2,903 21 .6 91 31 1,531 11.4 1947 b 140,150 3,193 22.8 87 27.25 1,626 11.6 1948 b 142,800 2,527 17.7 74 29.28 1,573 11.0 1949 b 144,000 2,504 17 .4 72 28.75 1,572 10 9 1950 c 149,000 2,172 14.6 53 24.40 1,668 11.2 1951 c 149,800 2, |
879f241f-005d-454f-9e3f-2fe2eb6fb2a4 | 273 15.1 63 27.70 1,838 12.3 1952 c 151,800 2,199 14.4 47 21.40 1,667 10.9 1953 c 151,100 2,090 13. 8 48 22 90 1,569 10.4 1954 c 149,700 2,035 13. 5 37 18.1 1,443 9.6 a—Total population. b—Civil population. c—Home population. 12 13 Table 6. Nett Deaths during the Calendar Year, |
6812d7aa-5f02-4cef-a167-179e5143eb7a | 1954 Nett Deaths at the subjoined ages of " residents " whether occurring within or without the district All Ages Under 1 year 1 and under 5 years 5 and under 15 years 15 and under 25 years 25 and under 45 years 45 and under 65 years 65 and under 75 years 75 years and upwards All causes 1,443 37 13 13 9 68 353 377 573 Tuberculosis, Respiratory 17 - - - - 5 8 2 2 Tuberculosis, |
7aece6c3-c246-4c86-92af-ec3be199885f | Other 4 - - - 1 1 2 - - Syphilitic Disease 5 - - - - - 3 2 - Diphtheria - - - - - - - - - Whooping Cough 1 1 - - - - - - - Meningococcal Infections 1 - - 1 - - - - - Acute Poliomyelitis - - - - - - - - - Measles - - - - - - - - - Other Infective and Parasitic Diseases 2 1 - - - - 1 - - Malignant Neoplasm, Stomach 44 - - - - 3 14 14 13 Malignant Neoplasm, Lung, Bronchus 56 - - - - 4 32 13 7 Malignant Neoplasm, Breast 22 - . - - - 6 10 1 5 Malignant Neoplasm, |
8e902834-f4e5-456a-8c56-2a1f49cadbc8 | Uterus 10 - - - - 1 3 3 3 Other Malignant and Lymphatic Neoplasms 161 - 2 - - 6 51 46 56 Leukaemia, Aleukaemia 12 - 1 1 - 3 2 3 2 Diabetes 4 - - - - 1 2 - 1 Vascular Lesions of Nervous System 180 - - 1 - 2 40 49 88 Coronary Disease Angina 219 - - - - 5 65 78 71 Hypertension with heart disease 43 - - - - 1 4 21 17 Other Heart Disease 173 - - 1 1 2 24 35 110 Other Circulatory Disease 70 - - - - 1 16 19 34 Influenza 1 - - - - - - 1 - Pneumonia 77 3 1 1 - 3 7 22 |
c79aa4ab-85f4-46c8-a990-574338413230 | 40 Bronchitis 82 2 - - - 2 12 28 38 Other Diseases of Respiratory System 11 - - - - - 5 1 5 Ulcer of Stomach and Duodenum 19 - - - - 1 6 3 9 Gastritis, Enteritis and Diarrhoea 10 - - - - 3 - 3 4 Nephritis and Nephrosis 20 - 2 2 1 2 4 8 1 Hypherplasia of Prostate 8 - - - - - - 1 7 Pregnancy, Childbirth, |
863c5875-0363-4a3d-a7d9-a28226b0325d | Abortion 1 - - - - 1 - - - Congenital Malformations 16 9 4 - - 1 1 - 1 Other Defined and Ill-defined Diseases 110 20 1 3 1 6 20 18 41 Motor Vehicle Accidents 10 - 1 1 3 1 2 - 2 All other accidents 31 1 - 2 1 3 7 3 14 Suicide 21 - - - - 4 12 3 2 Homicide and Operations of War 2 - 1 - 1 - - - - SANITARY ADMINISTRATION Sanitary Inspection of the Area. During 1954 the Sanitary Inspectors carried out 37,724 inspections, including re-inspections, being over 7,000 more inspections than during the previous year. The nature of these inspections is shown in Table No. 7. |
a918a87d-8ee1-4b75-a993-854d3f56bc32 | As a result of these inspections 1,461 intimation notices and 594 statutory notices were served. Complaints. There was a considerable increase in the number of complaints received during the year—3,048 compared with 2,026 in 1953. Any necessary action was taken where complaints were made or nuisances discovered. Table No. 7. Inspections. Complaints investigated 1,955 Water sampling and testing 171 Complaints reinspected 5,420 Rodent Control 2,924 Outworkers' premises' 346 Smoke Observations 43 Houses re overcrowding 130 Theatres and cinemas 10 New houses re water supply 443 Men's lavatories 132 Houses re infectious disease 1,134 Women's lavatories 60 Houses re smallpox contacts 9 Rag and bone dealers 3 Houses re vermin 369 Houses re choked drains 200 Woolwich Borough Council housing applicants re vermin 1,069 Houses, visits with owners, builders, etc. |
62f7ae11-055d-45c7-afc0-362d56155107 | 487 Houses re scabies 41 Houses re slum clearance and redevelopment 1,658 Houses re Housing Act 306 House-to-house inspections 2,647 Drainage inspections 948 Houses re Rent Restrictions Acts 80 Houses re verminous persons 98 Aged and Infirm persons 2,716 Rag Flock premises 8 Common Lodging Houses 18 Pet Animals premises 60 Tents and Vans 238 Houses re requests for permitted numbers 319 Factories mechanically powered 406 Factories non-mechanically powered 30 Offensive trades Daily Visits re insect and other pests 126 Work places 58 Houses re disinfection or destruction of articles 42 Shops re Shops Act inspections 738 Food premises 4,628 Marshes, ditches, pools, Itinerant vendors 21 courses, static water tanks, etc. |
93456078-3aad-4db4-82a2-c95cc69ab8a9 | 70 Complaints re food 31 Stables 36 Shops re Pharmacy and Poisons 28 Miscellaneous visits 2,102 National Assistance Act re burial of deceased persons 4 Non-effectual visits 4,799 Exhumations 31 Atmospheric Pollution 532 Table No. 8. Nuisances Abated. |
383358be-7ca7-4a5f-bd2b-d294f7f26d52 | Dirty conditions remedied 374 Areas and yards paved or repaired 32 Roofs repaired 534 Gutters, rainwater pipes, etc., repaired or renewed 318 Sinks repaired or renewed 71 Drains cleansed 252 Damp walls and other damp conditions remedied 1,744 Drains repaired or reconstructed 208 Combined drains repaired or reconstructed 6 Fireplaces, hearths, etc., repaired or renewed 157 Water closets cleansed and repaired 305 Floors, skirting and other woodwork 197 Water closet pans and traps fixed 119 Windows repaired or renewed 468 Water closet seats renewed 140 Ceilings repaired or renewed 214 Water supply defects remedied 236 Walls repaired or renewed 1,043 Dustbins provided 126 Other dilapidations remedied 69 Foul accumulations remedied 26 Lighting and ventilation defects remedied 436 Sites cleared of refuse 6 14 Sanitary Notices—Legal Proceedings. |
1b572ed3-1cf5-42f2-82a0-8a1e8a9680f7 | During 1954 it was found necessary to institute legal proceedings in only three cases in order to obtain compliance with notices served by the Sanitary Inspectors under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and other relevant Acts, Regulations and Byelaws. In every case the necessary work commenced before the date of the Police Court hearing and the cases were adjourned sine die. Water Supply. The Borough is provided with a domestic water supply entirely by the Metropolitan Water Board, and samples of the water are regularly subjected to chemical and bacteriological examination by the Board at its laboratories. The condition of the water supply during the year was satisfactory both in quality and quantity. No complaint was received as to the quality of the water. Local industries are also supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board, and in addition supplies are taken from eight of the eleven wells in the Borough. The water from these wells is used for trade purposes and fire fighting. Drainage. |
5b68c8be-0e68-47f2-a4c7-a19c96ecfa0b | A total of 460 drainage defects were discovered during the year, and the Sanitary Inspectors supervised the necessary works of repair and reconstruction. Officers of the Department carried out 58 smoke tests on suspected defective private and combined drains, and 30 of these produced positive results; 23 proved to be sound, and a further five, which also produced positive results, were in respect of old disused drains which when exposed were permanently sealed off. Three private drains were cleared during the year, for which a total charge of £2 17s. 7d. was made. A total of 149 combined drains were inspected and of these six were found to be defective. In these six cases, after the service of the necessary notices under Section 40 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, the work of repair and reconstruction was carried out by the Borough Engineer's Department, the cost being apportioned among the responsible owners. Common Lodging Houses. |
5e494516-4a76-4d9c-b362-c724b7e63cf9 | During the year on the application of the keeper of the common lodging house at 102 Woolwich High Street, the Council renewed the licence for a period of 12 months. The licence in respect of the only other common lodging house in the Borough, that at 60 Beresford Street, was renewed for a period of six months only, expiring on the 31st December, 1954. This was because it was in the Rope Yard Rails slum clearance area which was, at the time of licensing, awaiting the Minister's decision. Dustbins. The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1954, which received the Royal Assent in July, 1954, altered the law in London relating to the provision of dustbins. Section 11 of that Act gives a Metropolitan Borough Council power as it thinks necessary to provide, maintain, cleanse and renew dustbins at any premises in its area, and, if it thinks fit, to make an annual charge for this purpose. |
79e51d64-efc6-4fca-84c1-f896f553525d | This Act clears up a doubt which has existed until now as to whether a Metropolitan Borough Council had the right itself to provide dustbins with the option to make a charge. A Borough Council if it wishes can now provide a dustbin service for the whole of the Borough or for part of the Borough only. Section 12 of the Act provides that where it appears to a Metropolitan Borough Council that any house in its district is without a suitable number of dustbins the Council may serve a notice on the owner of the house requiring him to provide a dustbin of such material, size and construction as may be specified in the notice. The owner may appeal to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction on the grounds that the notice or any requirement thereof is not justified, that the notice might have been served upon some other person, that it would have been equitable for it to have been so served, or that any obligation to comply with the requirements of the notice 15 ought to fall on the occupier of the house. |
3a1bb180-99cc-46c1-9da9-8ca5be3cd701 | On the hearing of the appeal the Court may make such order as it thinks fit. In exercising this discretion the Court shall have regard to the degree of benefit to be derived by the persons concerned, and to all the other circumstances of the case, including (as between the owner and the occupier) the terms and conditions of the tenancy whether contractual or statutory. Prior to this amendment to the law, the Borough Council had in a number of individual cases given detailed consideration as to whether the tenant or the owner should be required to provide the new dustbin. Pet Shops. Eight applications for the renewal of licences to keep pet shops within the Borough have been approved. These premises are visited periodically by the Sanitary Inspectors to ensure that the requirements of the Pet Animals Act and the conditions subject to which licences are issued are being complied with. Sixty such inspections were carried out during the year. Rag Flock. |
7d8d7b0c-a1a9-4ac6-86d7-08aca7e772d6 | The Sanitary Inspectors regularly inspect premises where rag flock and other filling materials are manufactured and stored, and samples of these filling materials are obtained for analysis. There are three registered premises in the Borough where filling materials to which the Act applies are being used, and the Council has issued one licence for the manufacture of rag flock. During the year the following samples were obtained for analysis: —rag flock (3); millpuff (3); coir fibre (3); woollen mixture felt (2); cotton felt (1); and Algerian fibre (1). Coir fibre is obtained from the husks of coconuts and millpuff is manufactured from unused raw cotton. Algerian fibre is produced from a small palm leaf. A new standard for the cleanliness of filling materials was issued during the year by the British Standards Institution which differs in some ways from the standard on which the principal Rag Flock Regulations made in 1951 were based. |
dade6fac-a2c3-4802-9059-da0ed9721546 | A review of the 1951 Regulations is to be made by the Minister of Housing and Local Government in the light of the new standard, with a view to amending the present law as may seem desirable in the light of experience gained during the past three years. Rag and Bone Dealers. The Public Health (London) Act, 1936, as amended by the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1952, places restrictions, in the interests of public health, on sales by dealers in rags, old clothing and similar articles. During the year the Council instituted legal proceedings in respect of two offences against the Byelaws made by the London County Council relating to the business of a rag and bone dealer. A fine of 10s. and 10s. 6d. |
c0a2fdbc-2508-465a-82f4-22bde57b8771 | costs was imposed in the case of one dealer, who was seen by a police constable outside a Plumstead school handing books from a motor truck which was loaded with bundles of old clothes and boxes containing pens, pencils, books and rings. In the other case, a police constable saw a man slowly pushing a hand-barrow on which there was a quantity of rags and other clothes, and a number of rag dolls. A fine of 10s. and 20s. costs was imposed in this case. Shops Act, 1950. The provisions of the Shops Act, 1950, relating to suitability of ventilation, lighting, washing facilities, and sanitary accommodation and maintenance of suitable temperature in shops is the responsibility of the local sanitary authority. Altogether 738 visits of inspection were made by the Sanitary Inspectors for this purpose during the year. 16 Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933. |
c5a9e3cf-6679-4168-adec-eceaf905a5e7 | The registration and supervision of sellers of Part II poisons (i.e., other than registered pharmacists) is carried out by the Council under the above Act. The number of persons entered on the Council's list at the end of the year was 151. Rodent Control. There were 802 complaints of rats and 351 of mice received during 1954, and in addition to the investigation of these complaints the systematic inspection under the " block control" system was continued. A total of 18,198 premises were inspected during the year and of these 15,646 were under the "block control" system. The number of properties found to be infested by rats or mice was 1,974; this included 190 business and industrial premises. Where the cause of the infestation appears to be due to defective drains or other defects in the building the owner is requested to effect the necessary repairs. |
8b033d33-0065-4ebe-96df-0f1b011e9d3b | In this connection the Department carried out 40 smoke tests on suspected defective drains at rat infested premises, and these tests produced evidence of 24 defective drains. A total of 31 "block control" schemes was carried out during the year. As in previous years the Council continued its practice of arranging free treatment in respect of infestations in private dwellings. A charge is made for treatment carried out by the Council at business and industrial premises. With the co-operation of the Borough Engineer's Department, two sewer treatments and one test baiting were undertaken during 1954, and in this way the number of rats in the sewers has been kept under control. The number of "takes" recorded at the December treatment showed a fall of nine per cent. on the previous treatment. This was exceptional and difficult to explain. There was heavy rainfall at the beginning of the treatment which may have restricted the movement of the rats along the sewers. |
cd501d62-12b9-4dcb-9505-13ccddece167 | This treatment took place in a slum clearance area where the sewers have always been heavily infested. Large numbers of the houses were vacant and the rats have disappeared Without any evidence of having moved to another area. The poison used in both treatments was zinc phosphide. Hairdressers and Barbers Premises. It is provided by Section 18 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1954, that as from a day which may be appointed no person shall carry on the business of Hairdresser or Barber at any premises in a Metropolitan Borough unless he and the premises are registered by the Borough Council. These provisions do not apply to premises where a person attends to a customer in his own home, or on a person's own private premises (other than a shop or saloon to which the public resort), so long as the hairdressing is not carried out substantially as a full-time occupation and the person does not employ any other person to assist him in the business. |
a4f39bdb-7ee1-47f9-8bc3-2c7146ed8c8f | The Borough Council may make Byelaws for the purpose of securing the cleanliness of premises registered under this Section, and of the instruments, tools, materials and equipment used therein, and the cleanliness of persons employed in such premises with regard to both themselves and their clothing. Penalties are provided for contraventions of such Byelaws. Uniform Byelaws for use by Metropolitan Boroughs wishing to take advantage of these new powers are being drafted Mosquitoes and Other Pests. In 1954 a number of complaints were received from all parts of the Borough of infestations of cockroaches, moths, pharaoh's ants, crickets, silver fish, etc. Advice was given in each case and where necessary treatment was carried out. There were six infestations of cockroaches dealt with by the Department during 17 the year, for which charges were made, and treatment was carried out at one of the local hospitals in respect of an infestation of pharaoh's ants in the kitchen. |
84718308-1268-47a4-881a-63e2ce5d5b63 | Two cases of woodworm were treated by the use of Hydrogen Cyanide in the Department's special pantechnicon. Charges totalling £32 5s. 10d. were made upon the responsible persons for the treatments referred to above. There were several complaints during 1954 of wasps nests in houses or gardens, and in five cases the Department undertook to destroy the nests. Charges totalling £9 13s. Od. were made upon the occupiers of the premises concerned. Factories Act, 1937 Table 9. Details of Inspections carried out during 1954 are as follows:- Premises No. on Register Number of Inspections Written Notices Occupiers Prosecuted (i) Factories in which Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are to be enforced by Local Authorities. |
3a5f2b33-4256-4bb8-837e-50098cf3ae80 | 31 30 42 (ii) Factories not included in (i) in which Section 7 is enforced by the Local Authority 338 406 - (iii) Other premises in which Section 7 is enforced by the Local Authority (excluding out-workers' premises) 11 20 Total 380 456 42 - Cases in which Defects were found and remedied:- Particulars Number of Cases in which defects were found Number of cases in which prosecutions were instituted Found Remedied Referred To H.M. Inspector By H.M. |
52492066-87cd-4188-9f3f-b0d39fe72147 | Inspector Want of Cleanliness 11 11 - 8 - Overcrowding - - - - - Inadequate Ventilation 1 1 - 1 - Ineffective Drainage of Floors - - - - - Sanitary Conveniences:- (a) Insufficient 1 1 - 1 - (b) Unsuitable or Defective 33 33 - 20 - (c) Not Separate for Sexes 2 2 - 2 - Other offences against the Act (not including offences relating to Outworkers) 2 2 Total 50 48 2 32 - 18 Outworkers. The last return of outworkers made by employers of labour in the Borough and by other local authorities shows that this type of work continues to be popular with women unable for one reason or another to go out to work. There were 252 outworkers in the lists returned in August, compared with 257 in 1953. |
b1460b45-0206-451e-ac2a-8ce67c7cfa97 | The nature of their work is as follows:— Wearing Apparel 130 Lampshades 87 Stuffed Toys 15 Household Linen 14 Feather Sorting 2 Plastic Moulding 2 Making of Artificial Flowers 1 Box Making 1 Over 60 per cent. of these outworkers are employed by local firms, and the remainder by firms throughout the country from such distant places as Yeovil and Bradford. Local industries also employ 132 outworkers who live outside the Borough. The woman sanitary inspector visits the homes of outworkers periodically to ensure that the working conditions are satisfactory, 346 such inspections being carried out during 1954. Old People's Welfare. Much more time is now being spent with the old people in the Borough by the Council's Welfare visitor. Altogether 2,716 visits were made to the homes of the elderly, compared with 2,520 the previous year. |
90f36b5f-d08a-4e3f-9ab4-a014efbe2472 | Problems dealt with by the Council's visitor, who is a qualified nurse and also a sanitary inspector, included the voluntary removal of persons in need of hospital or institutional care, the provision of help from neighbours and friends, or the services of a home help, and many matters which, although fairly easily resolved, were, nevertheless, of great importance to the old person at the time. Although in a number of cases it was necessary to arrange the removal of elderly persons to hospital, in no case was it found necessary to secure their compulsory removal under the procedure laid down by the National Assistance Act, 1948. Assistance in one form or another was provided wherever possible to help the old person to lead a happier and more comfortable life. The assistance and co-operation of the General Medical Practitioners, District Nurses, Home Helps, Hospital Authorities and numerous voluntary persons working in the Borough for the welfare of old people, is of very great value in this work. |
5203af19-9baa-4027-b6cc-d6a4827fc16a | During the last two years the Borough Council have had special liaison with the Old People's Welfare Committee of the Woolwich Council of Social Service in order to secure better co-ordination between the two bodies regarding the problems of old people in the Borough. Representatives of the Old People's Welfare Committee attend meetings of the Council's Health Committee when old people's welfare matters are being discussed, and in addition the Council appoints four representatives to attend meetings of the Old People's Welfare Committee. 19 Holidays for Old People. The holiday scheme for old people of the Borough operated during the Spring and Autumn of 1954; all the detailed arrangements being made by the General Secretary of the Woolwich Council of Social Service. During this period 110 elderly persons were able to have a holiday. The number of old people who went away during the month of May was 89, and a further 21 had a holiday in September. |
9d0336cf-5bc9-46f9-a1ea-a9c2883edb88 | Seventy-six of the old people stayed at a private Guest House at Westgate, 32 at a private Guest House at Westbrook and the remaining two at a private Guest House at Bexhill. The parties were transported to and from the holiday resorts by coaches. Several fresh applications were received during the year for holidays. A number of names originally on the application list were withdrawn for one reason or another and, in fact, everyone who was on the reserve list actually went away. The Council of Social Service are reviewing the procedure for administering the holiday scheme in the light of experience gained in the past two years. In. view of the large number of applications received holidays of only a week's duration were arranged during the year. It was also decided not to consider applications received from people who had had a holiday under the scheme the previous Autumn. |
99d2f84d-c7cf-4905-af04-cc23342fd01e | The Old People's Welfare Committee assesses each application on its merits and a sliding scale of payment has been introduced and, except where it is not reasonably possible to do so, each old person pays between 15s. and 30s. towards the cost of a week's holiday. Several of the old people have paid by means of weekly instalments but others have preferred to pay in a lump sum. A medical certificate is produced by each applicant a week before going away. Lunch Clubs. The Eltham and Plumstead Lunch Clubs functioned throughout the year. Meals for the Plumstead Lunch Club were supplied from the Borough Council's Restaurant at the Plumstead Baths, and until the end of the year the Eltham Lunch Club was supplied by the County Council's Eltham High Street Restaurant. The Borough Council continue to make a substantial grant to the Woolwich Council of Social Service for the cost of the Woolwich and Eltham Lunch Clubs. Mobile Meals Service. |
fdd2430f-9fc9-4815-a3de-33119c61007f | A detailed report submitted by the Old People's Welfare Committee as to the possibility of introducing a mobile meals service for old people in the Borough was considered by the Council during the year. Enquiries as to the essential need for such a service were made by officers of the Council of Social Service from clubs, churches and other organisations. It was found, however, that while there may be a demand for such a service, the cases where no other arrangements were possible were few and did not justify further action being taken. Home Visitation. During 1954 the system of friendly visits to elderly persons throughout the Borough has continued. Some 30 visitors from the Woolwich Council of Social Service maintained contact with elderly persons; between 50 and 60 visits being made each week. Visitors undertake shopping, the changing of library books, the carrying of coals, the writing of letters, and minor household repairs, and are particularly concerned to see to the safety of old people on the roads and in their own homes. |
fe0f2796-9574-4c07-9fac-96b70ab9c5aa | During the year the Borough Council again made a grant of £250 towards the cost of the visiting services being undertaken by the Old People's Welfare Committee, including the payment of a part-time organiser for that purpose. On behalf of the Old People's Welfare Committee an experiment was undertaken during the year by members of the local Civil Defence Association, who, in 20 the course of canvassing for Civil Defence recruits in a particular area in the Borough, have made enquiries about old people in the neighbourhood. Another experiment has been carried out through the goodwill of the Children's Club at an Eltham cinema. By this means a number of children have been able to make contact with old people in the area and so perform services for them. One of the most important aspects of the scheme is that, in addition to providing companionship for the old people, the visitors arc able to report any special hardship that may become apparent in the course of these visits. |
de6c6c00-2f46-4c5a-9746-9c7858dca5d3 | During the year the Old People's Welfare Committee considered the best way of caring for the needs of the more frail old people in their own homes, and decided that the most useful service at the present time would be the extension of the visiting service. Every effort is now being made to establish even closer contact with the old people in the Borough who are not already being cared for through one of the voluntary organisations or through the churchts, who carry out such valuable work in this respect. Reading Rooms. Requests have been received by the Council from voluntary organisations in the Eltham area asking whether the Council could make available rest and reading rooms where the aged could spend their time, particularly during winter months. Unfortunately no assistance could be given so far as Council accommodation is concerned. |
d1d993a6-3b15-480c-8801-1e52a52f920f | Temporary arrangements were made during the winter months of last year to accommodate members of the Pleasaunce Old People's Club who had been required to vacate the bowls pavilion until it was re-built, and a room at the Progress Hall, Eltham, was hired on four occasions each week during the first three months of the year. Proposed Old People's Club at Eltham. During the year the Council considered proposals from the Victorians, a voluntary body working for the welfare of old people in the Borough, for the establishment of an Old People's Club which would provide for the well-being of old people in the Borough, including recreation, handicraft work and other activities. The suggested building was the Sherard Road Health Centre. The Borough Council, appreciating the demand among old people for such amenities, felt that the proposals of the Victorians should be actively supported, particularly as it is intended to provide meals for old people in the Club. |
d9d9a609-2a5b-48fc-85b8-435fb5a5c5ee | The scheme would involve the conversion of the Sherard Road building into an Old People's Club, and the Victorians have been informed that the Borough Council is prepared to support their scheme for the establishment of such a Club, subject to the County Council undertaking to transfer the land and premises to the Borough Council upon terms to be agreed. The Council also decided that in addition to acquiring the land and premises, the Council would also be prepared to grant a sum not exceeding £300 per annum to this organisation for the purposes of the maintenance of this Club when established. Negotiations are proceeding with the County Council for the acquisition of the premises when they are released from their present use. Atmospheric Pollution : First Smokeless Area. After consideration of current reports and research on atmospheric pollution, and particularly the Statement of Evidence of the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee to the Government Committee of Inquiry, the Council decided that it should make a start without delay on establishing a smokeless area, and in November resolved that its St. |
6e531a5d-48a9-4b13-b43e-c07590374366 | Mary's Redevelopment Area, comprising 75 acres and ultimately some 2,000 dwellings to be developed during the next 20 years, offered an opportunity to inaugurate the first smokeless area in the Borough. The Council also supported generally the views of the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee for facilitating the rapid increase in the consumption of smokeless fuel. 21 It will be a Condition of Tenancy for new dwellings or business accommodation in the area that no smoke shall be emitted from the premises, and the use of solid fuel in the premises other than an approved smokeless fuel will be prohibited unless the tenant can show that supplies of smokeless fuel are not reasonably obtainable or can show other reasonable grounds for not using smokeless fuel. At the time of the Council's decision a number of new dwellings in this area had been completed, and a further 97 were to become available for letting during the following few months. |
c23206bc-49f4-403d-bf6b-388532c902c1 | All these dwellings are being fitted with grates capable of burning any smokeless fuel, and gas ignition is also being provided. With regard to the Council's Bostall Estate, all the 128 dwellings in the course of erection at the present time are being fitted with gas ignition, and on completion of this work the special tenancy clause will also be applied to these dwellings. The Council are convinced that with suitably designed and installed apparatus properly managed, and with regular supplies of the right fuel, smokeless heating is liked by the tenants and is no more expensive than burning bituminous coal. Before deciding to set up a smokeless area the Council invited local fuel retailers to a meeting, at which the Council's proposals were explained to them and at which representatives of producers of the various types of smokeless fuel were present. A full exchange of views took place and the practical effects of the Council's action was discussed. The support and co-operation of local fuel merchants was promised. |
a123117e-a026-4a88-9058-81af066f7317 | The possibility of making other areas in the Borough smokeless will be considered by the Council in the light of experience gained from the St. Mary's Area. Information on the Council's publicity campaign devoted to the prevention of smoke, particularly from domestic premises, is referred to in the section of the Report dealing with Health Education. Recording and Measurement of Atmospheric Pollution, 1954. During the year monthly readings of the amount of sulphur and deposited matter (grit) collected at the five stations set up by the Council for measuring and recording air pollution were obtained. The Public Analyst has assisted in this work and the results are being made available to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The results of the monthly readings during 1954 were as follows :— 22 23 Table 10. Measurement and Recording of Atmospheric Pollution—January.December, 1954 Station Weight of Sulphur Trioxide Collected mg./l00 sq. cm./day Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. |
a946d9b3-31de-48a2-9dd2-ca9043ccb341 | May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. No. 1. Woolwich Dockyard 3.75 2.81 2.56 2.73 2.30 1.42 1.49 1 64 1.57 1 .67 2.73 3.30 No. 2. Municipal Offices 5.25 4.18 3.46 3.45 2.95 1 .67 1.87 1 .88 1 .86 2.34 3.89 4.74 No. 3. Abbey Wood Omnibus Garage 409 2.52 2.39 2.30 2.11 116 1 .45 1 .55 1 .25 1.75 2.77 3.93 No. 4. Shooters Hill Golf Club 4.32 3.28 . |
76d0829c-4275-432e-9b1b-951709ce96f5 | 2.63 2.85 2.88 1.11 1.13 1 .37 1.17 1 85 3.24 3.31 No. 5. Eltham High Street Area 2.39 2.00 1 .57 1 .67 1 .21 0.65 0.55 0 66 0.58 0.81 1 57 1.74 Other Stations in County of London Highest 901 8.40 7.90 5.94 4.21 3.92 7.81 4.25 9 03 10.67 9.94 7.37 Lowest 1 23 1 39 1 .34 0.99 0.57 0.46 0.32 0.40 0.32 0.52 0.68 1 .07 Station Total Solid Matter Collected. |
77f56715-bbf9-4407-a1d3-2cf5def61eed | Monthly deposit in tons per sq. mile Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. No. 1. Woolwich Dockyard 41.18 38.55 49.12 31.52 50.49 30.69 29.15 34.25 24.74 22.64 37.65 32.11 No. 2. Municipal Offices 26.07 29.58 25.13 18.99 29.35 17.73 13.07 15.85 13.47 10.74 20.00 15.40 No. 3. |
cd48c533-a234-48a0-b537-8d6dfa4b89aa | Abbey Wood Omnibus Garage .. 24.47 27.08 17.78 15.80 25.60 16.57 9.76 14.67 8.87 8.80 16.50 13.54 No. 4. Shooters Hill Golf Club 14.40 18.34 13.59 13.30 20.04 15.14 8.67 10.90 6.27 6.26 12.17 8.40 No. 5. |
c394660c-f5fa-40cd-ad0b-3e9691bf4c67 | Eltham High Street Area 11.92 15.13 20.36 11.07 17.02 13.92 7.02 7.23 6.14 4.93 10.64 5 81 Other Stations in County of London Highest 3096.58 205.43 187.75 54.60 115.02 34.15 163.39 1182.35 85.21 109.51 98.95 126.71 Lowest 10.64 12.25 13.59 3.99 11.47 9.26 4.46 7.23 5.80 4.93 10.47 5 81 During the year the Council approved the setting up in the Borough of a further three measuring stations designed to provide for the measurement of fluctuations in pollution occurring from day to day, particularly with changes in meteorological conditions, and the amount of smoke in the atmosphere. |
48c50ed1-8677-4743-aafa-39d4b7035e93 | The stations are to be located respectively at the Town Hall, Shrewsbury House and Eltham Baths. This scheme for the installation of additional instruments for measuring smoke is complementary to the earlier scheme. In this way the Fuel Research Station hope that the Metropolitan area will be fairly well covered by continuous surveys relating to three of the most significant air pollutants. It is also considered that the setting up of these stations will assist research, not only by showing the atmospheric condition in London, but also its relation to smoke in the research now going on with regard to cancer of the bronchus. In this way information of real value to medical authorities and others can be obtained. Air Pollution : Industrial Premises. Smoke observations carried out on behalf of the Council, particularly in relation to several local factories, were continued through the year. This year there were fewer complaints of industrial smoke nuisances. Below is given brief details of the complaints. |
26a886d7-cdcc-4517-ac43-699c544a35d7 | Complaints of clouds of smoke emitted from a large riverside factory which were stated to be a nuisance to residents on the northern bank of the river were received during the year. As a result of representations to the factory management an improvement in the method of burning the material being disposed of at this factory has been effected. Several smoke observations were made during the year at an Abbey Wood factory which had been the cause of complaints of smoke nuisance from local residents in previous years. After one observation when a nuisance was observed, the Council's Smoke Inspector served a notice to remedy the nuisance. Smoke was being emitted from a steel stack about 45 feet high which was attached to a shell type furnace in which hessian covered scrap cable was being burnt. A Baghouse plant which is designed to remove the greater proportion of solids from the smoke produced in the refining of non-ferrous metals, has now been erected and is working satisfactorily. |
a72811bb-2f3f-480c-9ef3-08b8227a5424 | In previous years complaints have been received of black smoke and grit being emitted from a factory in the area of the docks. The firm's action during the year in installing modern low ram stokers has effected a distinct improvement. A further contribution to cleaner air locally was made during the year when two large local public undertakings converted their furnaces to oil firing. Teething troubles were experienced by the stokers until they became accustomed to the working of the new plant. Fewer complaints were received during the year from other factories which in previous years had been the cause of complaints of smoke, dust and grit nuisances. Mortuary Facilities. On the instructions of the Coroner all post-mortem cases are sent to the public mortuary at Lewisham in the case of Eltham persons, and to Deptford in the case of Woolwich, Plumstead and Abbey Wood persons. During the year 261 Woolwich cases went to Deptford, and 131 Eltham cases to Lewisham. |
217e9bcd-c2b2-4e24-a512-ac99287d1b91 | 24 The public mortuary in Sunbury Street continues to be available for the reception of other bodies. Burial of the Dead. Eight burials were arranged under Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, these being carried out by the Council's contractor. The total expenses incurred in respect of cases dealt with by the Council during the year was £71 14s. 9d. of which £26 6s. 9d. was recovered from the Estates of the deceased persons. The cost of a funeral varies slightly, the average cost for an adult being about £11. Joint Crematorium : Eltham Cemetery. During the year considerable progress was made towards the establishment of a joint crematorium at Eltham Cemetery. A crematorium had been proposed before the last war, and during 1953 negotiations took place between the Borough Council and the Minister of Housing and Local Government for consent to proceed with a joint scheme. |
60af9ee8-4295-4f37-b8bc-12b38084e62d | In October, 1953, the Minister agreed to the scheme, which includes the Boroughs of Woolwich, Greenwich, Bexley, Dartford and Erith, and the Urban District Councils of Chislehurst and Sidcup and Crayford. The scheme provides that the whole of the appropriate functions and duties of the respective authorities be delegated to a Joint Committee, to be called the Woolwich, Greenwich and North-West Kent Joint Crematorium Committee. The Committee has been formed and comprises representatives of the participating authorities. The land and buildings will remain vested in the Borough Council, and the Council would also raise the necessary loan and finance the scheme on behalf of the Joint Committee. In consultation with the other authorities a revision of the origmal design of the Crematorium has been carried out by the Borough Engineer. The Crematorium has been planned in an " L " shape with the main access running East to West. A sunken garden is incorporated in the angle between the two arms. |
9fa8f524-8cd2-4910-9612-df33bbc1d0ce | The Joint Committee will be wholly responsible for the management and maintenance of the Crematorium. Building is to commence as soon as possible. Street Cleansing. Each main thoroughfare is cleansed daily, secondary roads twice weekly and district roads once weekly. There are 86 street sweepers employed on the work and, in addition, a mechanican sweeper and sprinkler is used to sweep the roads in the shopping areas adjacent to Powis Street, Plumstead High Street and Eltham High Street. Over 9,000 street gullies are cleansed periodically by mechanical gully cleansing machines. House and Trade Refuse. During the year under review. 46,784 tons of refuse were collected by the Council's vehicles and 56,192 tons disposed of at the Council's Refuse Destructor. The difference between the two weights is largely the quantity of refuse delivered 10 the Refuse Destructor from the Royal Arsenal and Army Barracks. |
28f138ba-788f-47ec-acae-a74e98f660da | Material salvaged during the year amounted to 1,788 tons at a value of £6,735. In addition, 1,602 tons of kitchen waste was collected within the Borough. 25 During the year, the Council decided to cease the collection and processing of kitchen waste which had been carried on since 1941. This decision was largely due to the falling off in demand for the processed meal, following an increased availability of the traditional feeding stuffs. Since 1941, over 100,000 tons of kitchen waste have been processed by the Council. Public Conveniences. Sixteen conveniences for men and a similar number for women are maintained throughout the area, hours of opening and closing varying with local requirements. In the town centre, for example, the conveniences are open from 5.30 a.m. Normally, however, this service is available between the hours of 6.30 a.m. and 11 p.m. These conveniences were inspected regularly throughout the year. |
2f5384da-08f3-4466-9f9b-54cb0af8e7cc | In all the conveniences water closets are now free. Free Washing Facilities—Public Conveniences. The Council has, for the past four years, provided free washing facilities at main public conveniences. This service continues to be used and appreciated by the public, although some people still prefer the paid washing facilities which include the supply of a linen towel. The average number of paper towels per convenience used weekly is approximately 300. Public Baths and Washhouses. The Council has four bathing establishments in the Borough. A full description of this service, which includes swimming baths, slipper baths, Turkish baths, public laundry, and the use of the premises for social and sporting activities during the winter months, was included in my Annual Report for the year 1952. At the end of the year the Council considered the desirability of modernising the public washhouse at the Plumstead Baths, one of the hand washing bays being worn out and in need of replacement. |
8fa265d0-0715-4f90-8cf8-60546addaeea | In order to improve this service the Council has decided to instal two mechanical washing machines, together with four new hydro extractors. The mechanical washing machines will be self-operated and will be available for booking by the public at charges to be fixed by the Council. Alterations have also been carried out to the electrical apparatus which drives the mangles. Recently, an indoor cricket school has been established at the Eltham Baths, and has proved to be very successful. The Council provided the money for equipping the school, and the organisation of the attendance of Cricket Clubs at the school is carried out by the Association of Kent Cricket Clubs (Metropolitan Area). The Baths Administrative Officer has informed me that during the twelve months ended 31st March, 1954, there was an increase of 46,579 compared with the previous year in the total number of attendances. |
6a1a3e8e-b6ce-4cfe-8874-4d1a52b28f49 | Attendances during that period were as follows:- Swimming 408,774 Slipper Baths 150,274 Turkish Baths 11,607 Public Laundry 11,503 Free baths to old age pensioners and unemployed 4,478 Tents, Vans and Sheds : Byelaws. The administration of Byelaws made by the Borough Council in respect of tents, vans and sheds is the responsibility of the Department, and a total of 238 inspections of these types of dwellings was carried out. During the year two informal notices were served for the remedying of some 9 defects to caravans. It was not necessary to resort to any formal notices. 26 Boating and Paddling Pools. With the co-operation of the Borough Engineer the regular chlorination of the pools was continued throughout the year. Pool attendants add chloride of lime to the pools each evening in quantities prescribed, to give an estimated free chlorine content of 015 p.p.m. |
1e2389f2-a1f8-4304-aad1-ad9badafa362 | Sufficient washing soda is also added to maintain a pH reaction of 8 0. In addition, the pools are scrubbed out weekly with chloride of lime paste. The results of these measures has been a consistent improvement in the purity and appearance of the water. Frequent tests made by the Department showed that the water was maintained at a reasonable standard of purity. Swimming Bath Water. During 1954, 71 samples of swimming bath water were taken from the Council's public baths at Woolwich, Plumstead and Eltham. These samples were submitted to the Park Hospital, Hither Green, for bacteriological examination. All the samples proved satisfactory. The Department carried out simultaneously its own tests for free chlorine and hydrogen-ion concentration (pH value). I set out below details of the samples of water taken. Number of Number of Average Average Average Samples Bacillus pH FreeTempera- Baths. taken. Coli. value. Chlorine. ture. |
dd1517c6-ddc1-4fff-999b-2c5fb8299c5d | Woolwich 24 0 7 .68 1.76 75° Plumstead 24 0 7 .6 1. 79 75.4° Eltham 23 0 7 .77 1.7575° Public Houses. The supervision of the hygienic conditions in public houses is an important duty of the Department. There are 148 licensed premises in the Borough, 42 of which also serve main meals. 271 inspections were made during the year, and as a result 160 defects were found requiring the service of 19 informal notices and 2 formal notices. All these defects were subsequently remedied. Excellent co-operation continues to exist between the brewery companies and the officers of this Department, which has resulted in a general improvement in the standard of hygiene and in the condition of the premises and equipment. HOUSING Housing. At the end of 1954 there were estimated to be 41,647 dwellings in the Borough. |
0478187d-23fe-4570-a5d4-4ef26b1a171c | The number inspected for housing defects under the Public Health or Housing Acts was 7,365 (compared with 8,579 in 1953), and 1,522 houses were found to be not in all respects reasonably fit for habitation. Some 1,038 houses were rendered fit by informal action by the Sanitary Inspectors. This informal action included the service of intimation notices. In 594 cases it was necessary to serve statutory notices in order to have the necessary works carried out. Over four times as many house-to-house inspections were carried out under the Housing (Consolidated) Regulations, 1925, the total for 1954 being 2,647 compared with 618 in 1953. 27 Overcrowding. During the year 28 families were found to be living in overcrowded conditions, and reports were made to the London County Council on behalf of these persons. In nine cases the County Council provided other accommodation. |
33d4eb23-43bd-42a0-a7ba-ca902459dd0b | A further 102 families were visited after complaints of overcrowding or at the request of the London County Council or the Borough Council Housing Departments. Reports were sent to both Housing Departments setting out details of the applicants' present accommodation. Upon application being made by either landlord or occupier the Council are under an obligation to give in writing a statement of the permitted number of persons in respect of any dwelling house, and measurements of dwellings for this purpose were taken on 319 occasions, compared with 652 in 1953. Individual Unfit Houses. Seventeen houses (compared with 23 in 1953) were repiesented during the year as being unfit for human habitation, and incapable of being made fit at reasonable expense. Formal notices were served on the owners under the provisions of the Housing Acts. After consideration of each case, closing orders were made by the Council in respect of 16 of these houses and one demolition order was made. |
10d00830-afe6-4c31-8376-9be13ffd272b | Details of the houses dealt with are as follow:- 33, Chapel Hill Closing Order—whole house—20th February, 1954. 1, North Kent Place Closing Order—whole house—10th March, 1954. 46, Glyndon Road Closing Order—whole house—10th March, 1954. 30, Walpole Place Closing Order—whole house—8th April, 1954. 35, Samuel Street Closing Order—whole house—8th April, 1954. 3, .Saunders Road Closing Order—whole house—8th April, 1954. 220, Woolwich Church Street Closing Order—whole house—8th April, 1954. 29, Ann Street Closing Order—whole house—29th June, 1954. 254, Woolwich Church Street Closing Order—whole house—29th July, 1954. 2, Harrington Buildings, Chapel Hill Closing Order—whole house—30th July, 1954. |
d0dcefd2-a61d-4f87-80c9-cb42397e6c56 | 3, Harrington Buildings Closing Order—whole house—30th July, 1954. 4, Harrington Buildings Closing Order—whole house—30th July, 1954. 5, Harrington Buildings Closing Order whole house—30th July, 1954. 6, Harrington Buildings Closing Order—whole house—30th July, 1954. 2, Garibaldi Street Closing Order—whole house—22nd October, 1954. 256, Plumstead High St. Closing Order—whole house—22nd October, 1954. Myrtle Cottage, Philipot Path Demolition Order—21st October, 1954. A further eight individual unfit houses have been represented to the Council at the end of the year for action under the Housing Acts. During the year the Council revoked an undertaking given by the owner of 34, Elmley Street, Plumstead, not to use these premises for human habitation. |
d326df93-e252-4846-8691-4c6c750aecae | The Council also determined a closing order made during 1953 in respect of 83, Sand Street, Woolwich, the necessary works having been completed to make the premises again fit. During the year the Council made Closing Orders in respect of unfit rooms at a further four premises. The following are the details of the parts of houses closed by the Council during the year:- 28 39, Woolwich Common Basement front and back rooms—Closing Order dated 10th March, 1954. 33, Nightingale Place Basement front and back rooms and basement back addition room—Closing Order dated 29th June, 1954. 150, John Wilson Street Basement rooms—Closing Order dated 29th June, 1954. West Wing, 2, Bexley Rd. Ground floor front, first floor front, middle and back rooms—Closing Order dated 29th July, 1954. Clearance Areas. |
473054e5-c3a1-4983-965c-eb88be20e353 | During the year the Council's programme of slum clearance was advanced in accordance with the five-year programme decided in conjunction with the London County Council. The steps taken during the year and the position at the end of the year in each area are as follows:- Ropeyard Rails (No. 1) Area:- This area consists of 12 dwelling houses, and was represented by me for clearance in 1952. After the holding of a Public Inquiry, the Minister of Housing and Local Government in September, 1954, confirmed the Council's Clearance Order with slight modification due to the exclusion at the request of the Council of Nos.: 6-9 (con.), Warren Lane from the Order; these properties having been purchased by the Council by agreement prior to the Public Inquiry. None of the premises had been vacated at the end of the year. Ropey ard Rails (No. 2) Area:- This area consists of only two dwelling houses. |
01cf38a6-1821-4302-99a8-6a5d41c354fe | Confirmation of the Council's Clearance Order was received in September, 1954. Ropeyard Rails (No. 3) Area:- This area comprises five dwelling houses, and was confirmed by the Minister during the year. Ropeyard Rails (No. 4) Area:- There are four dwelling houses in this area. At the end of the year two of the houses were unoccupied. Ropeyard Rails (No. 5) Area:- This area, consisting of three dwelling houses, was represented by me during 1954 for clearance. The Council's Clearance Order was confirmed by the Minister in September, 1954. Ropeyard Rails (No. 6) Area:- This area comprises three dwelling houses, the common lodging house at 60, Beresford Street with accommodation for 50 men, and an old people's home at 62b. Beresford Street, occupied by 18 women. |
dcf1d1b9-492e-4397-bb70-eefd8437e2fc | The Minister confirmed the Council's Clearance Order in September, 1954, and at the end of the year negotiations were proceeding to secure the vacation and demolition of these premises. Vicarage Road (Plumstead):- This area comprises eight dwelling houses, and was represented by me during 1953 for clearance. The Minister confirmed the Council's Clearance Order, without modification, on the 5th May, 1954. At the end of the year only one house was occupied. 29 Thrift Cottages (Frances Street) Area:— This area comprises five dwelling houses, 1-5 (con.), Thrift Cottages which were represented by me on the 6th April, 1954, for clearance. At its meeting on the 6th June, 1954, the Council made a Clearance Order which was subsequently submitted to the Minister. The number of occupants to be displaced was two. Eustace Place (No. |
42ee4dd9-d19a-411e-b842-049cf12b0902 | 1) Area:- On the 6th April, 1954, I represented that this area should be dealt with for clearance. The area comprises the following dwelling houses:— 25-38 (con.), Eustace Place, and 17 and 18, Borgard Road. The number of occupants was 40. Eustace Place (No. 2) Area:— On the 6th April, 1954,1 represented that this area should be dealt with by the Council for clearance. It consists of 10 houses, Nos. 3-12 (con.), Limbrey's Buildings. The number of occupants was 19. Greenlaw Place (No. 1) Area:— On the 3rd October, 1954, I represented to the Council that this area should be dealt with for clearance. The area comprises the following dwelling houses: 274-278 (even), Woolwich Church Street. 2, Sunbury Street. |
5418a8cd-dad3-4024-b3aa-93dbdaf2d21b | 9-17 (odd), Kingsman Street. The number of occupants was 35. The Council decided at its meeting on the 3rd November to deal with the area as a clearance area. Greenlaw Place (No. 2) Area:— On the 3rd October, 1954, I represented to the Council that this area should be dealt with for clearance. The area comprises the following dwelling houses:— 25-47 (odd), Kingsman Street. The number of occupants was 36. The Council decided at its meeting on the 3rd November to deal with the area as a clearance area. Greenlaw Place (No. 3) Area:- On the 3rd October, 1954,1 represented that this area, consisting of 97 dwelling houses should be dealt with as a clearance area. The area comprises the following dwelling houses:- 290 and 292, Woolwich Church Street. 2-10 (even), Church Hill. |