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14
Whether it is a practical proposition to disturb the sex ratio I have no evidence to
guide me, but I do think that it is worthy of consideration even to the selection of a
definite and reasonably circumscribed area in which experiments of this character could
be undertaken.* I believe that scientific opinion is against the possibility of such a
proposal proving practicable, nevertheless it indicates a suggestion sufficient for my
present purpose, which is to emphasise that the subject of rat repression is one well
worthy of serious research in many directions.
(38) CONCLUSIONS.—(i.) In addition to the Corporation endeavouring to rid the
sewers under their control of rats and also of preventing spare land and empty buildings
in their possession from becoming rat-infested, supervision should be exercised to ensure
that infested private premises are dealt with energetically. To enable this work to be
undertaken in a systematic and uniform manner throughout the City, three inspectors
additional to the one now employed on this work should be appointed.
(ii.) Attempts should be made to formulate a scheme of registration of rat-catchers
with the City Authorities, and the basis of registration should be compliance with
certain rules formulated by the Corporation after conference with such men as are
engaged in this work in the City.
(iii.) Occupiers of premises should be asked to employ only such rat-catchers as
are registered, provided these arrangements are made.
(iv.) Discouragement should be given to the use of viruses in places were there is
any probability of food contamination resulting.
(v.) The Government should be asked to undertake investigation work with a view to
ascertaining whether danger exists to public health as a result of rats becoming the
carriers of the infection contained in the different proprietary viruses.
(vi.) The use of poisons should be discouraged inside premises where people are
engaged, and particularly in those where rats breed and pass their lives as opposed to
those to which rats gain access from a permanent resort outside the premises. The better
plan is to use some method which will enable the bodies of captured rats to be removed,
as by the use of suitable traps, varnish or other adhesive material spread on
cardboards, or by the employment of rat-catchers.
(vii.) Poisoning by various methods is most suitable for ridding open spaces or
sewers of rats.
(viii.) Rat repressive measures should be on the lines laid down in paragraph (vi.)
in markets and open spaces where food is stored.
(ix.) Energies should be displayed throughout the year and not sporadically.
(x.) The question of offering payment for rats caught might be well considered.
If this principle is put into operation certain fundamental controls will require to
be devised.
Since this Report was completed a circular letter has been received from the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in which one paragraph reads as follows:—
"When the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, became law on the 1st January
"the question was raistd as to the legality of the payment under Section 2 (2) of the Act
"of rewards by Local Authorities for rats killed, and this Ministry were informed by the
"Ministry of Health that they had considered the matter and that it did not appear
"to them that the Act empowered a Local Authority to pay rewards for the destruction
* The Calf of Man, which Mr. Jennison believes is rat-infested, he considers would be an excellent area for the purpose.
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