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The Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
During the year 139 complaints were received as to the presence
of rats on land or premises. In every case the complaint was
fully investigated by a Sanitary Inspector, and where rat runs were
found to exist these were traced as far as possible to their source and
appropriate action was taken to abate the nuisance.
In many instances the presence of rats is due to the defective
condition of the drains, but where this is not the case the tenant is
supplied with poison baits and instructed by the Inspectors how to
use them. Advice is also given as to the necessity for keeping all
foodstuff under cover and the importance of not leaving waste
particles of food lying about overnight is stressed so as to avoid
attracting rats. When information is requested the names of reputable
rat catchers living in the Borough are supplied. In seven
instances it was necessary to serve notices in accordance with the
provisions of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, upon the
occupiers of land or premises requiring the abatement of the nuisance.
With a view to securing concerted action for the destruction
of rats and mice, National Rat Week was observed in this Borough
at the suggestion of the Ministry of Agriculture, during the week
commencing Monday, November 5th, 1934.
During this period rat poison was laid in the various sewers
owned by the Council, which work was carried out in conjunction
with the main drainage department of the L.C.C. Editors of local
newspapers were invited to direct the attention of their readers
to National Rat Week ; posters were displayed on the Council's
sand-bins and at the Public Libraries and Baths and Underground
Conveniences ; copies of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
bulletin on " Rats and how to exterminate them " were distributed
by the Sanitary Inspectors to the proprietors of factories, workshops
and food places in the Borough, and the use of rat poison was
continued.
Removal of Aged, Infirm or Physically Incapacitated
Persons.
Under the provisions of Section 28 of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1928, the Borough Council is authorised to
obtain the removal to an institution of aged, infirm or physically
incapacitated persons living under insanitary conditions. During
the year 22 cases of this character came to the notice of the Public
Health Department.
Satisfactory arrangements were made to secure better care and
attention for five of these old people in their own homes, six were
persuaded to enter an institution voluntarily, five were taken
charge of by relatives or friends, and in two other instances the
persons concerned entered a hospital. In one case it was necessary