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being itinerant traders. Two cases were dealt with by cautionary
letter, and legal proceedings were ordered in the 4 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 1937.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
This Act imposes on local authorities and occupiers of premises
responsibilities in connection with rat repression.
The work carried out during 1937 under the Council's Rat
Repression scheme is summarised as follows :—
Premises visited 1,782 Contracts made or
Poison baits used 9,900 renewed 10
Dead rats found 1,436 Value of contracts £128 0 0
Cash for poison bait, &c. £7 6 0
Total expenditure (financial year 1937-38) £521 16 0
Income (financial year 1937-38) £129 11 0
Drains were tested at 66 premises in connection with this
work, and in 54 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 " (1st to 6th 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 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.
Only in one case was any action taken under this section.
Vermin.
Sections 122 to 127 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
confer upon Metropolitan Borough Councils powers for dealing
with premises, articles or persons infested with vermin.