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54
the disposal of useful material and the Council derived some revenue
on this account.
The waste food collection was continued, but the availability
of alternative animal feeding stuffs made this a somewhat expensive
item. The Government realised that it was uneconomical for local
authorities to continue this service and revoked the compulsory order
with the result that the Scheme was discontinued by the Council as
from September, 1954.
The Council continued its policy of purchasing up to date
refuse collection vehicles ensuring that the material collected was
after collection totally enclosed, and also had carried out alterations
to its vehicles to further this improvement.
The refuse collected continued to be barged away from the
Tunnel Avenue Depot to controlled tips in the Thames Estuary,
and the negotiations for alternative means of disposal (mentioned
in the previous report on this subject) were continued. During
the latter part of the year a strike of watermen on the river suspended
the operation of the river as a means of transport, but with the co—
operation of other local authorities, who accepted the Greenwich
refuse, no undue disorganisation took place, and the thanks of the
Council were extended to these authorities for their helpful co—
operation."
RODENT CONTROL
General.—During the year the Rodent Control scheme, as
approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, has been
continued. A total of 2,075 investigations were made and infesta—
tion found to exist at 401 dwelling houses and 41 places of business.
There were 14 major infestations at business premises, 2 of them
caused by ship rat and 12 by common rat. Periodic treatments
were carried out at 14 of the large industrial premises. Throughout
the year there were 3 instances only of re-infestation in private
dwelling houses after treatment and this low figure reflects credit
on the staff carrying out these duties.
The monthly average of complaints received was 37 as compared
with 38 last year. Although the average is maintained the difficul—
ties encountered are easier to overcome, probably due to early
notification of the presence of rodents and as a result of drainage
repair work carried out over the past few years.