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The amount received by the Council from property owners for the services of the Eat
Officer during the year ended 31st March, 1936, was £26 5s. 0d. and, in addition, £5 0s. 0d.
was credited to the department for the services of the Rat Officer to other departments of
the Council.
RAT WEEK.
During National Rat Week held from November 4th to 9th, an intensive campaign
against rats was carried out by the Rat Officer with the assistance of two labourers. In the
small sewers of the Borough no less than 14,000 poison baits were laid in the stunt ends of
12 inch pipe sewers which were known to harbour rats, in 92 streets in the Borough. Whilst
it is difficult to estimate the mortality amongst the rat population, as the result of this action,
it is satisfactory to note that most of the baits were found to have been taken.
In addition to this direct action by the Rat Officer, posters were exhibited on the
Council's vehicles, and a letter explaining the purpose of National Rat Week was sent to
all factories in the Borough with a request that the letter should be exhibited on the Staff
Notice Board. Letters were also sent to, and published, by the local press.
NUISANCE FROM PIGEONS.
Section 52 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, gives the
Borough Council powers to abate or mitigate any nuisance caused by pigeons having no
owner, subject to the consent of the owner of the land or building upon which the birds
congregate.
No action was taken during the year under this Section.
SHOPS ACT, 1934.
During the year the Sanitary Inspectors made 117 inspections of shops under the abovenamed
Act in connection with ventilation, temperature and sanitary conveniences.
Nine Intimation and three Statutory Notices were served regarding these matters and
13 certificates under Section 10 of the Act exempting shops from the provision of sanitary
conveniences were issued. All the certificates were issued on the ground of restricted accommodation
making it impossible for the conveniences to be provided on the premises.
In two cases additional Water Closet accommodation was provided as the result of
action by the Sanitary Inspectors and in two cases means to maintain a reasonable temperature
were provided.