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As a result of notices served upon owners, it is estimated that
approximately £30,000 of repairs have been executed.
Drainage.
The drains of 96 houses were reconstructed. In some instances
the reconstruction related to portions of the public sewers, and in
these cases the work was carried out under the supervision of the
staff of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor's Department, the
expenses incurred thereby being recovered from the owners.
Verminous Houses. Infested. Disinfested.
Number of houses 130 130
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
Complaints.
Although all complaints received during the year have been
promptly investigated, and steps have been taken to free premises
from rats and mice, the amount of infestation within the Borough
is still high. As has been pointed out on previous occasions, the
main source of rats is from the Council's sewers.
With the coming into force of the Pests Act, 1949, it is obligatory
for persons with rats to notify the Local Authority, and there are
penalties for failure to do so. The following figures give some idea
of the amount of work undertaken during the year:—
Complaints received and investigated 489
Premises not treated (not genuine infestation) 51
Premises treated:—
(а) Dwelling-houses 459
(b) Business premises 74
533
Premises freed 480
Sewer Maintenance Treatments.
All sewers in the Borough were treated in July, 1950 (followed
by a further treatment in January, 1951).