View report page

12
of those weeks. The premises where the rats had not been completely exterminated,
also received much attention during the intervals, and this attention is still being
continued.
Prior to the first rat week, a very large number of restaurant and other premises
known to harbour rats were inspected and directions given for steps to be taken
for the extermination of the rats.
In the majority of cases the rats have been exterminated, or their numbers
very much reduced. The work required a very large number of inspections and
re-inspections and the work is still being continued.
The Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, came into operation on the 1st day
of January, 1920, and the Council authorised the Medical Officer of Health and the
sanitary inspectors to enforce the Act in the Borough. In the majority of cases the
owners at once agreed to take the steps required. Only 13 notices were served and it
was unnecessary to take legal proceedings.
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops.
The number of registered dairies and milkshops in the Borough at the end of the
year was 156. Six dairies and milkshops were newly registered, and nine were
removed from the register.
In addition to my inspections the Sanitary Inspectors made 181 inspections of
these premises, and one notice was served for sanitary defects or breaches of regulations,
and in some cases alterations were carried out without the service of notices.
Public Health (Milk & Cream) Regulations, 1912 & 1917.
The following particulars of proceedings taken in the year 1920, under the
above Regulations made in pursuance of the Public Health (Regulations of Food)
Act, 1907, are given in the form suggested by the Local Government Board in their
circular letter dated 27th October, 1913, and a copy was sent to the Ministry of Health
in January, 1921.
Food.
1. Milk and Cream not sold as Preserved Cream.
(a) .(b)
Number of Samples examined Number in which a preservative was
for the presence of preservatives reported to be present and percentage
of preservatives found in each sample.
Milk 274 0
Cream 6 1 containing Boric
Acid 0.248%
Nature of preservative in each case in column (b) and action taken under the
Regulations in regard to it.
Milk nil.
Cream. Boric Acid 0.248 per cent.