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54
Arrangements continue to be made for the provision of separate
refuse containers in flats and other establishments. These containers
are housed in separate compartments in the vicinity of the
building from which the refuse has to be collected. The refuse is
deposited direct into the container and the collecting vehicle has a
mechanical contrivance for picking up the container complete and
depositing its contents direct into the vehicle without exposing the
refuse.
The matter of untidy streets is still a problem and in spite of the
"Keep Britain Tidy "campaign there is still too much litter thrown
on to the highway. Representations have been made—and concern
expressed—from the public health point of view—at the increasing
amount of litter, including items of food, which were seen in the
streets of the Borough, as well as on certain bombed sites. Provision
has been made for additional street litter receptacles to be
fixed at certain points in the Borough, with a view to mitigating
this nuisance.
The collection of salvage continues, the amount during the year
under review representing 968 tons, which was disposed of in the
best markets.
The same procedure for the disposal of the refuse by the barging
method still operates, and negotiations for alternative means of
disposal are continuing."
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 5,209 investigations were made and infestation
found to exist at 428 dwelling houses, and 86 at miscellaneous
premises and places of business. There were 3 major infestations
at business premises, caused by the common rat. Periodic treatments
were carried out at 7 industrial premises and throughout
the year thera were 15 instances only of re-infc station in private
dwelling houses after treatment.
The monthly average of complaints from occupiers, coupled
with infestations reported as a result of routine investigation, was
46 compared with 48 last year.
Occupiers of business premises and also householders readily
report any known or suspected infestation and the value of routine
investigation made in these properties is emphasised by the fact that