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22
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
This Act gives power generally to the Council to require steps to be
taken to eradicate infestations of rats and mice and where possible to
prevent infestations occurring. These duties are carried out by the
Rodent Officer, assisted by three Rodent Operatives.
All infestations coming to light, whether by way of complaint or
otherwise, are systematically investigated, and the appropriate action
taken. Where the cause of the trouble is obviously defective drains
or other defects in the building, the owner is called upon to effect the
necessary repairs. This aspect of the work involves close co-operation
between the Rodent Control Staff and the Sanitary Inspectors. In other
cases, the occupier is called on to set traps, lay baits or take other
action as the circumstances may require. The setting of traps and
laying of baits is, on request, carried out by the Rodent Control Staff,
charges being made for this service. These charges are usually nominal
except in the case of business premises, where the cost is charged in full.
The sewers under the control of the Council are treated twice yearly,
in accordance with the suggestion of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries (Infestation Control Division). Their recommended method
of treatment, namely, the laying of prebait (unpoisoned) on two days,
followed on the third day by poisoned bait, is followed.
The Ministry make a grant of 50 per cent, towards the cost of
the service, in so far as this is not recovered from the owners or occupiers
of premises.

The total number of visits made to the above premises, and
to others which were found not to be infested, was 3,347.
Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951.
The principal provisions of the Act related to registration of
premises in which rag flock or other materials are used in upholstery,
etc., and the licensing of premises used for the manufacture and
storage of rag flock. An authorised officer of the Council has the
right of entry, inspection and sampling of any filling materials. The
Medical Officer of Health and Sanitary Inspectors are deemed to be
authorised officers. Subsequent Regulations made by the Minister
prescribed the standard of cleanliness for each kind of filling material,
the methods of testing samples and the nature of the tests to be
applied.