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Factories. The number of inspections made to premises
registered under the Factories Act—176. Defects relating to
sanitary conveniences, ventilation and other sanitary matters
were dealt with at 31 premises.
Water Supply. Five samples of water from domestic taps
were taken and submitted for chemical or bacteriological
examinations. The report on each sample was satisfactory.
Watercourses. A number of inspections were made of the
watercourses in the district for the purpose of detecting pollutions
and samples were obtained and sent for chemical analysis.
Mosquitos. A number of complaints were received from
residents and paraffin spraying of ditches and stagnant ponds
was carried out.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919—The Infestation
Order, 1943. Under the provisions of the Order, Committees
have been set up embracing several local authorities' areas
to deal with problems arising from investations and with a
view to securing joint action in a number of areas when and
where necessary.
Most of the trouble in Merton and Morden arises from the
keeping of poultry and animals in gardens and yards which,
as a wartime measure, was recommended by the Ministry of
Food.
In some areas a staff is employed entirely in rat destruction,
but I am still of the opinion that infestations are not
sufficiently heavy in this area to warrant the employment of a
full-time staff.
All complaints are dealt with by the Inspectors and staff
of the Public Health Department. During the year under
review 1,487 visits were made to premises where infestations
were known or suspected, and 121 premises were cleared. In
these cases advice was given to the occupiers and the methods
of destruction recommended were supervised. In some cases,
where the men of the house were away in the Services, the
baiting was carried out by one of the staff.
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