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35
In 1923 the by-law was sanctioned without limit of time and the Council now have a permanent
measure by which they can secure a considerable improvement in the cleanliness of the public
footways.
The Council have issued leaflets which have been posted in various places in the Borough and
delivered by hand to a large number of dog-owners. Attention has been called to the by-law by
slips attached to the rate demand notices and the matter has received notice in the local press.
Two officers in the Public Health Department make observations and during 1925 they reported
two breaches of the by-law to the Public Health Committee. Summonses were taken out in both
cases ; in one a fine of 40s. was imposed and in the other the fine was 10s.
The number of convictions under this by-law during the past four years is 7.
THE RATS AND MICE (DESTRUCTION) ACT, 1919.
In the Borough, the Borough Council are the authority required to execute and enforce this
Act, but the London County Council are responsible for rat repression in sewers vested in the
County Council. The Borough Council are also required to observe the provisions of the Act
in respect of any land of which they are the occupiers.
The Borough Council may, within their own area, give instructions by public notice as to the
most efficient methods that can be adopted both individually and collectively with a view to the
destruction of rats and mice. Also, in the event of the occupier failing to take necessary action,
the Council may serve notice requiring him to take steps for the purpose of destroying rats and
mice and of preventing his land or premises becoming infested, or, after 24 hours' notice, they may
enter the premises, carry out the work and recover any reasonable expenses from him.
The Council have delegated their powers under the Act to the Public Health Committee, and
each Sanitary Inspector makes inspections in his district for the purpose of detecting rat-infested
premises and reports to the Medical Officer of Health cases in which the occupiers are not taking
all practical steps to destroy the rats or to prevent their premises becoming infested.
An account of the methods adopted by the Rat Officer appears in the report for 1923.
During the National Rat Week Campaign, held in November, the following special measures
were adopted.
Sewers.—Six pairs of flushers were placed at the disposal of the Council's Rat Officer to assist
him in the laying of baits of barium in the entrances to sewers. In South Kensington 82 entrances
were baited daily and in North Kensington 104, the baits disappearing in the majority of cases
between the flushers' daily visits. Thirty thousand barium baits in all were laid in the sewer
entrances during the week.
Wood Lane Depot.—Five thousand five hundred barium baits were laid in the metal and other
dumps.
Railways.—Companies whose lines are within the boundaries of the Borough were requested
to co-operate in baiting and in every case expressed their willingness to do so.
Cinemas.—A rat film, lent by the Ministry of Agriculture, was exhibited at one cinema theatre,
and lantern slides inviting the co-operation of the public were shown at two others.