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13.
At the beginning of the year one of the Sanitary Lnspectors was
seconded to this work. He was assisted in the first place by two volunteers
from the Civil Service who worked on their "off duty" days as operators.
After some experinontation in methods of trapping and poisoning, a standard method
known as "pro-baiting", was adopted, as suggested by the Ministry of Food. There
was an increased demand for the service during the year and additional operators
were appointed and suitably trained.
During the year the Ministry of Food introduced Infestation Ordor, 1943,
and certain directions were carried out in the borough, all major infestations wor:
mapped and later all other infestations. The Ministry of Food arranged a public
campaign at this time and much information was obtained as a result of this public
From the 1st October to the 31st December, 1943 , 242 reports wore received from the
public regarding infestations. The completod survey revealed a further 475 promised
infosted, making a total of 717 promises which were known to be infosted with rats.
Dealing with theose promises proved a very considerable undertaking and the work was
carried out in a systematic manner. One of the difficulties experienced was to
assure people who reported the presence of rets that the work was being done, as the
naturally expected immediate action.
A further direction from the Ministry of Food required the treatment of
the sewerage system in the borough. For the first tinm a co-ordinated attack in the
whole of the soworage system was carried out in the whole of London, we were much
indebted to the work carried out by the Borough Engineer and his staff in the
baiting andprebaiting and of the Finsbury sewors. Calculations made according to the
formula provided by the Ministry of Food suggested that a conservative number,
6,835 rats, was destroyed during this campaign. A re-estimate lator suggested that
a more representative figure for the borough would be approximately 10,000 rats
killed.
It was gratifying to learn that this co-ordinated method of attack was to
be continued and from time to time directions issued for further treatment of the
sewers.
The following figures show the extent of the operations carried out
during the year:-
No. of houses treatod ... 109
No. of promises for which a charge was made ... 87
Number of other premises 15
Total 211
It was found difficult during the year to arrive at a satisfactory
method of charging for the work carried out. The Local Authority is obliged to make
a charge under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) act, 1919, but it was felt that in a
large number of cases the charge was unjust and for an experimental period it was
decided that no charge should be made for the treatment of residential propertices
and that other propertices be charged a fee approved by the Council.
RECEPTION HOUSE: There was no occasion during 1943 for the occupation of the Reception
House for the social purpose for which it was provided. The arrangement was kept i
force whereby Holborn residents were to use the Reception House if the need arose. I
May .1943 now premises were securod at 21, whiskin Street to replace those which were
formerly used at 42, Lloyd Beker Street.