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food refuse to accumulate in his yard and also stored
there a number of packing cases, barrels, tins, etc.;
in this way affording an ideal breeding place for rats,
which were a plague to the neighbourhood. A
Statutory Notice was served without result and on
legal proceedings being taken a fine of £5 with
£3 3s. Od. costs was imposed. During the year
special attention was given to the storing of refuse
from restaurants and food premises, a covered re-
ceptacle being required in every case to prevent the
access of rats. The "Works and Stores Committee of
the Council who supply dust-bins to purchasers,
agreed that the type of dust-bin to be supplied in
future should be a covered one in accordance with the
requirements of the by-laws. It should not be forgotten
that rats cannot live without food, and that
they can obtain a certain amount of food from dustbins
which are commonly left uncovered. It is to be
hoped that the sanitary inspectors may in time educate
the public to realise the importance of preventing
access of rats and mice to waste food in dust-bins.
Another important means of rat control is the detection
of defective drains which allow the egress of rats
from the sewers. With the aid of our powerful
smoke machine it has been possible to establish the
connection of numerous rat runs with defective
drains, such a discovery being followed by the repair
of the defective drain. In connection with rebuilding
operations in the Borough special attention has been
given to the sealing of disused drains at the junction
of sewer and drain. Unless this is done systematically
a blind drain results which affords a nesting place
for breeding rats.
CUSTOMS AND INLAND REVENUE ACTS.
No applications for certificates for exemption
from Inhabited House Duty were received during the
year.