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34
Three cases of offences against that part of the by-laws relating
to rag and bone dealers, which prohibits the giving of toys in exchange
for rags, were reported by the Police. By direction of the Health
Committee, legal proceedings were taken in all these cases. One
summons was dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907In
each of the other two cases, a fine of £1 was imposed, and in one
of them £1 costs were awarded to the Council.
Verminous Premises.
The number of premises found to be infested by vermin (principally
bed-bugs) was markedly less than in previous years. This reduction
can be ascribed in part to improved standards of cleanliness, and in
part to the advent of the insecticides known as "D.D.T." and
"Gammexane," the use of which is now standard practice. They
possess the property, not shown by the older types of insecticide, of
imparting to surfaces on which they are sprayed or dusted a lethal
action against insects, which remains active for some months if
undisturbed.
During the year, 270 verminous premises, including 44 flats or
houses on the Council's Estates, were treated.
Van Dwellings.
There are four sites in the Borough on which van dwellings have
regularly been placed for many years. The number of vans on the
sites varies from time to time. All the sites are subject to regular
inspection and are in general reasonably well kept.
Dangerous Structures.
Seventy-eight cases in which structures or parts thereof had been
noted, in the course of inspections for various purposes, as appearing
to be unsafe, were referred to the District Surveyor of the London
County Council for his attention.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
The provisions of this Act, which give power to require steps to
be taken to eradicate infestations of rats and mice, and to prevent
infestations, are administered by the Council. The work is carried out
by the Rodent Officer, assisted by three Rodent Operatives (one additional
Operative having been appointed during the year).
All infestations coming to light, whether by. way of complaint or
otherwise, are systematically investigated, and the necessary steps taken
to deal with them. In some cases the occupier of the affected premises
(who is the person primarily responsible under the Act), is called upon
to take those steps, and in others the work is carried out by the Rodent
Control Staff. In the latter event, the cost is recoverable from the
occupier. Except in the case of business premises, where the cost is
recovered in full, the charges made are usually nominal. At the same
time, steps are taken to ascertain, and to secure the remedy of, the
cause of the infestation. This is frequently found to be defective
drainage or other defects in the building, for which the owner is
responsible, and he is called upon to remedy the defects. The work
of the Rodent Control Staff is, therefore, carried on in close co-operation
with the Sanitary Inspectors.