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65
training and experience) to organise the work in the district,
and to act under the direction and supervision of the
Medical Officer of Health.
The occupiers of factories, warehouses and large business
premises, were notified by letter of the provisions of the Act,
and they were, at the same time, invited to avail themselves of
the facilities provided by the Council's scheme, particulars of
which were brought to their notice. The scheme, it was hoped,
would be self-supporting, and a scale of charges, based upon
the size of the premises and the amount of work to be done,
was approved by the Health Committee.
The Rat Officer (Mr. H. Renham) was appointed on 26th
May, 1920, having previously acted in a similar capacity for
Lancashire County Council.
All requisites and apparatus necessary for carrying on an
organised campaign of rat extermination were provided,
including traps of various types, poisons (mainly those
harmless to man and domestic animals), ferrets, dogs, etc.
From the first very useful work in keeping down the
numbers of these destructive pests has been carried out, the cost
of which has been, in part, borne by those utilising the services
of the rat officer and his staff.
Unfortunately, the scheme has not received the financial
support that was expected. A number of firms have entered into
annual contracts with the Council under the scheme, but the
total amount received during 1921 was considerably below that
for the previous year, and did not cover the cost of the scheme.
While the financial results have been disappointing, there
can be no doubt as to the value of the work done, and most of
those firms who have continued to make use of the facilities
provided in the Council's scheme have expressed their appreciation
of the good results obtained. When it is remembered that
rats are terribly destructive and that they consume enormous
amounts of food-stuffs—estimated to the value of 15 million
pounds sterling annually in Great Britain—it is passing
strange that when an efficient scheme for rat repression in the
Borough has been organised through the public spirit of the
Council, a more generous response has not been made by the
inhabitants, especially by the owners of factories and large
business premises.