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37
The number of complaints (560) received from occupiers of dwelling houses was 55
less than last year, whereas the number of complaints received from business premises
(109) increased by 21. In addition to premises dealt with following the receipt of a
complaint, 188 dwelling houses and 58 business premises were inspected as parts of
surveys of adjoining premises to check the full extent of the infestations being
investigated.
All cases of infestation were dealt with by baiting treatments and any necessary
proofing carried out by the owners. Most of the dwelling house infestations were
found to be directly attributable to defects in the house drainage or outlet drain
between the interceptor and the sewers.
Disused outlet drains which served houses demolished owing to enemy action during
the last war, were in most cases sealed off at the intercepting chamber leaving a dead
length of drain between it and the sewer. It was often found that rats had burrowed
from these dead drains. In such cases the outlet drain was sealed off at its
junction with the sewer.
During the year two large scale poison treatments were carried out on the sewers.
In April one treatment was carried out using zinc phosphide as the poison agent, but
as the results of this treatment were very similar to those carried out in previous
years, it was decided to carry out two three-monthly treatments using sodium fluoracetate
as a direct poison with no pre-baiting. The first treatment of this type was
carried out in September and the second will be carried out in January 1960.
It is hoped that when the result of these treatments are available they will show
a marked diminution in the rodent population of the sewers, and that this will be
reflected in a reduction of the number of cases of rodent infestation on the surface.
CLEAN AIR ACT, 19 56
Industry
The improvement brought about by the lessened amount of industrial smoke emitted
commented upon in last year's report has continued throughout 1959. Heavy smoke
emissions have been few and sporadic and in practically every case there was a
reasonable explanation as to the cause. In every case managements co-operated fully
in tracing the cause and rectifying the trouble.
Several new factories have been established during the year and in each case
possible problems have been the subject of full discussions with a view to avoiding
future trouble.
It is pleasing to report that smoke nuisances due to burning rubbish etc. in the
open air have been few. This shows that the public in general and shopkeepers and
other small traders in particular are aware of their responsibilities. in the few
cases calling for the department's attention a visit proved sufficient to bring about
the abatement of the nuisance and prevention of its recurrence.
One other matter is worthy of special note. Many industrialists in the borough
have arranged for their boiler operatives to attend courses of training. The
Council's smoke abatement officer has noticed that as a result, these men can now
discuss intelligently the apparatus under their charge and the techniques for
running them.
Despite the generally favourable position as regards industrial smoke, regular
observations continued to be made throughout the year.