View report page

- 9 -
These figures show an increase over the corresponding
figures for the previous year (4,915 and 3,880 respectively)
due to the fact that the baiting of the sewers was not
restricted to the side entrances, but included the circle access
shafts to sewers in the northern half of the borough.
The Council have decided that, in 1950, the biannual sewer
baiting will be extended to include all circle access shafts
in the borough.
Block treatment procedure, involving simultaneous baiting
of an entire area, was undertaken during the year at the
Council's Wood Lane Depot on two occasions, and it was
estimated that 205 rats were destroyed.
Block treatment was also undertaken at the Kensal Gas
Works, after certain structural alterations to the drains had
been carried out, and it was estimated that 892 rats were
destroyed.

Public Mortuary-
The number of bodies taken to the mortuary during the
year was 475. Inquests were held in 104 cases.
Care of the Aged.
There are many old people in Kensington who, although not
sufficiently infirm to require institutional treatment, are
with increasing age and limitation of their physical activities,
leading lonely and restricted lives. Some are found to be
living in insanitary conditions. During the year consideration
was given to measures which might be taken to alleviate the
unsatisfactory conditions in which such old people are living.
There are voluntary bodies working in the borough whose
activities deal with certain aspects of the problem of the
care of the aged, and consultations with these bodies took place.
The Council considered that increased attention should be paid
to the following requirements:-
#
(a) More frequent home visiting and supervision;
(b) Rehabilitation of old people and cleansing
of their homes;
(c) Further provision of meals, recreational
facilities and companionship;
(d) Provision of holidays;
(e) Additional housing accommodation for the aged.