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National Rat Week
This year's Rat Week commenced on Monday, November 7th, and in
response to the request of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to local
authorities responsible for the execution and enforcement of the Rats and Mice
(Destruction) Act. 1919. to secure concerted action during that week with a
view to the destruction of rats and mice, the following measures were adopted
by my Department to bring National Rat Week to the notice of the inhabitants
of Camberwell:—
(1) The display of double-crown posters on the notice boards at
all Municipal buildings and on the Council's sand-bins throughout the
Borough.
(2) The distribution of a pamphlet on Rat Repression.
(3) A special appeal to proprietors of business premises throughout
the Borough inviting them to seek the assistance of the officers of the
Council in cases of rat infestation. The number of letters despatched for
this purpose was 2,226, which resulted in many applications being received
for advice on this subject.
During Rat Week the Borough Engineer and Surveyor also
baited the Council's sewers, this work being carried out in conjuction
with the main drainage department of the London County
Council.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries also requested
local authorities to complete a questionnaire on the administration
of the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, in advance of National
Rat Week and an opportunity was taken of bringing to the notice
of the Ministry the Council's Sewer Reconstruction Programme,
at present proceeding, and the repair of private frontage drains
connecting with such sewers found to be in a defective condition.
Schools.
The sanitary conveniences of private schools in the Borough
were inspected during the year. In certain cases attention was
drawn to the existence of minor defects, which Were immediately
remedied.
Public Mortuary.
The Council's mortuary adjoins the Coroner's Court and is
situated in St. George's Way, Peckham.
It is equipped with a refrigerating plant with a preservation
chamber containing nine compartments.
A monthly summary of the bodies received at the mortuary
during 1938 appears on the following page.