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In addition they will be required to supervise the rat-proofing
of lighters which is a matter which badly needs attention. Eliminating
rat harbourage under the ceilings by blocking off the swims in the bilges
with perforated flashings is neither difficult nor costly and has been found
to be most effective.
The inspection of lighters at the repair yards can best be
done from the shore but the inspection of lighters at the "tiers" can only
be done from a launch and is going to present special problems, the solving
of which can only take place in the light of experience.
TUGS.
Tugs are seldom infested with rodents and there should be little
difficulty in carrying out periodic inspections of these craft. Such
inspections can be done by the present River staff.
FINANCE.
The Circular accompanying the Order, signed by Mr®McAulay Gracie,
the Director of Infestation Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,
responsible to that Department for the proper administration of the Order
states that Port Health Authorities may claim grant equal to one-half of the
expenditure incurred by them in the performance of their functions under the
Order. Incidentally, the Circular further states that to simplify
accounting procedure, claims for grant by Port Health Authorities in respect
of all rodent control expenditure incurred in the current and subsequent
financial years, whether incurred in connection with the issue of International
Deratting or Deratting Exemption Certificates under the Port Sanitary
Regulations or under the Prevention of Damage by Pests (Application to
Shipping) Order, should be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries® Grant in respect of services which are the responsibility of
the Ministry of Health will be subject to conditions of grant laid down by
that Department. Income from the issue of International Deratting or
Deratting Exemption Certificates will in future be included in the claim
on the Ministry of Agriculture, although responsibility for the Certificates
remains with the Ministry of Health.
Port Health Authorities will not be asked to apportion their
administrative expenditure; all expenditure of this kind will continue to
be grant-aided by the Ministry of Health and should be included in claims on
that Department®
VII® FOOD INSPECTION.

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