View report page

123
Generally speaking, the response on the part of occupiers especially
those with stock on their premises which could be destroyed or
damaged by rats was good.
Such occupiers were anxious to do all possible to free their premises
and to take steps to prevent further infestation.
The results, as indicated by the rats destroyed, are very satisfactory.
It may be observed that, although Rat Weeks serve a good and
useful purpose in organising a general and concerted attack on rat
invaders, the good work is often nullified and the attack eventually
becomes of little value, unless it is steadily followed up during the year
from week to week. This is done in the Borough.
*****
The Borough Engineer has kindly provided us with a copy of his
report to the Highways Committee on the work he has carried out with
reference to baits in the sewers.
Report to Works Committee. November, 1927.
National Rat Week—1st-6th November.
As instructed by the Committee, I duly purchased from Messrs.
Evans Sons, Lescher & Webb, Ltd., 9 half-gallon bottles of
" Liverpool Virus " at a cost of £13 7s. 9d.
This poison was mixed with a quantity of oats and a small
quantity of aniseed, and placed in 110 side entrances leading to
brick sewers and 45 manholes on pipe sewers.
After an elapse of eight days an inspection was made of the
side entrances and manholes where the poison was placed and it
was discovered that all the poison had disappeared and that over
two dozen rats were found lying dead. In view of the fact that
"Liverpool Virus" is well known to be a most effective destroyer
of rats, there is no doubt that the poison having been eaten by the
rats, a considerable number was washed away by the water in
the sewers.
I might add that I have received a telephonic communication
from the London County Council, Chief Engineer's Department,
to the effect that during the Rat Week they laid 1,488 baits, out of
which 581 were eaten by rats, which the London County Council
consider to be very satisfactory.
H. Morley Lawson,
Borough Surveyor.