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46
INHABITED HOUSE DUTY.
37. No Certificate under the Inland Revenue Act was granted
during 1919.
38. The following matters are dealt with in the Housing part
of the Report:—Overcrowding; Fitness of Houses; Action
under the Housing Acts.
RAT DESTRUCTION.
39. There were 75 complaints received as to the existence of
rats. These referred to rats that were infesting 141 premises,
and related to 38 business premises (including premises where
food is prepared and stored), 16 stables and 87 private houses.
In the private houses complained of there were always chickens
or rabbits kept. The premises were inspected and occupiers
advised that they were responsible for the extermination. The
occupiers were advised as to the best methods that should be
adopted to meet their case. Poisons, traps and varnished boards
were recommended. The two principal factors always kept in
mind were rat-proofing the premises and killing all rats. In
cases where there was any suspicion that the rats were coming
from defective drains, the drainage systems were tested and
examined.
The complaints received were from all parts of the Borough,
and principally related to only a small number of rats in each
case. There were, however, two business premises investigated
which are largely infested, but in these cases action is continually
being taken by the firm to reduce the numbers. In one
instance, a rat-catcher is constantly employed, and records are
kept of his work.