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Rodent Control.
Rodent control forms part of the duties of the Public Health
Department's general assistant. Treatment is carried out in accordance
with the methods suggested by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries. A charge to cover labour and cost of materials is
made for work done in business premises but all treatment at
dwelling houses is free.
During the year 599 treatments were carried out at dwelling
houses and 186 at business premises, and also many ditches,
undeveloped sites etc., were treated. The use of Warfarin " as
a poison has been continued on an increased scale and its value as
an alternative to the older poisons fully confirmed.
PART II. FOOD.
Milk Supply.
A register of Dairies and Milk Distributors (other than dairy
farms and farmers) is maintained and the numbers shown on the
Register are :
Milk Distributors 22
Dairies 8

An order made under Section 23 of the Food and Drugs (Milk,
Dairies and Artificial Cream) Act, 1950, specifying this district as
one within which the use of special designations in relation to milk
sold by retail is in force.
During the year twelve samples of milk were taken for bacteriological
examination; all passed the Statutory Tests, i.e. the
Methylene Blue and Phosphatase tests in the case of pasteurised
milk and Turbidity test in the case of sterilised milk.
It has not been necessary to take any action under Article 20
of the Milk and Dairies Regulations, 1949 to prohibit the sale of
milk.
Ice Cream.
One hundred and five persons are registered for the sale of ice
cream in the district, including fifteen who are registered for its
manufacture. All the latter use methods of heat treatment laid
down in the Ice Cream (Heat Treatment) Regulations.
Twelve samples of water ices and ice lollies were taken, all of
which were reported to be satisfactory.
Bacteriological reports on samples of ice cream manufactured
in Hayes were excellent, i.e.
Grade I 13 or 92.9%
Grade II l or 7.1%
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