View report page

92
Rag and Bone Dealers.
Six offences against that part of the by-laws of the London
County Council which prohibits the giving of toys in exchange for
rags, &c., were reported during 1936, the offenders in each case
being itinerant traders. Two cases were dealt with by cautionary
letter, and legal proceedings were ordered in the four others, the
result of which is shown on page 82.
Rag Flock Acts, 1911 and 1928.
These Acts were passed to prevent the use of material known
as rag flock, unless such material complies with the standard of
cleanliness laid down in the Act.
No proceedings were taken under these Acts in Battersea
during 1936.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
This Act, which became operative on the 1st January, 1920,
imposes on local authorities and occupiers of premises additional
responsibilities in connection with rat repression.
The work carried out during 1936 under the Council's Rat
Repression Scheme is summarised as follows :—
Premises visited 1,469 Contracts made or
Poison baits used 10,440 renewed ... 8
Dead rats found 1,072 Value of contracts £123 0 0
Cash for poison bait, &c. £6 7 0
Total expenditure (financial year 1936-37) £507 4 5
Income (financial year 1936-37) £133 2 0
Drains were tested at 74 premises in connection with this
work, and in 58 cases defects of more or less serious character
were found. The presence of rats in houses is usually regarded as
prima facie evidence of drain defects. The work of the Rat Officer
therefore is carried on in close co-operation with that of the district
Sanitary Inspectors.
As in previous years an intensive effort for the repression of
rats was organised during " Rat Week " (2nd to 7th November).
Bait was laid in the sewers, and was supplied to all applicants
during the week free of charge. The co-operation of the public
was invited by posters and advertisements and the sound film
issued by the Ministry of Agriculture was displayed at local cinemas.
The results were good, considerable numbers of rats being found
dead.
Destruction of Pigeons.
By Section 121 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
the Council have power to destroy doves or pigeons congregating
in such numbers as to cause nuisance, annoyance or damage,
subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act.
During 1936, at the request of the London County Council,
the Council undertook the destruction of pigeons infesting Holden
Street School.