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36
Rat Week.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries issued a Circular stating that this year's
" Rat Week " would commence on Monday, 1st November, and urging upon all local authorities
responsible for the execution and enforcement of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act,
1919, the desirability of making a special effort during that week to secure concerted action
with a view to the destruction of rats and mice.
As in previous years, printed circulars on the subject and recipes for suitable poisons
were sent to the occupiers of premises peculiarly liable to infestation by rats, owing to the
nature of the business carried on therein, and chemists' shops and stores were requested to
stock, exhibit or advertise suitable rat poisons, traps, etc.
I have to thank Mr. C. S. Bainbridge, the Borough Engineer and Surveyor, for the
following information : —
" It may be interesting for you to know that it is now reported to me that poison was
laid down during Rat Week in 127 places throughout the sewers in this Borough,
and from observations made, the whole of the poison was taken from 85 places,
part from 29 places, and in 13 places the poison bait was not touched.
I have details of the actual points at which the bait was put down, if they are required."
REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL.
A.—A weekly collection is made in ad parts of the Borough with the exception of
Wards 2 and 6, in which a collection is made twice weekly during the summer
months, and daily collections before 10 a.m. in prescribed main streets. Additional
collections are also given to flats, eating houses, etc.
The use of Pagefield lorries and containers, first introduced in 1925, has very much
facilitated this work.
B.—The methods of refuse disposal are :—
(а) By combustion in the Destructor.
(b) Removal to the country by rail.