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Depot, but since that date no salvage has been collected and all
the refuse collected, except for 2,355 tons conveyed to Lewisham's
wharf and 366 tons to Deptford's wharf for barging away (by
arrangement and for convenience during adverse weather conditions),
has been conveyed in the Council's vehicles to the Land
Reclamation Co. Ltd.'s shoot at Stone near Dartford. Trade
refuse amounting to 174 tons was disposed of in the same manner.
The 611 tons of salvaged materials collected during the first
nine months of the year under review was disposed of by sales
amounting to £4,141 made up as follows :—
Scrap Metal 79 tons £470
Waste Paper 502 tons £3,238
Other Salvage 30 tons £433
An income of £1,600 was obtained from the charges made by
the Council for the collection and disposal of 174 tons of trade
refuse arising from business premises in the Borough.
RODENT CONTROL
General.—During the year the Rodent Control Scheme, as
approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has
continued, although with the introduction in 1959 of " block " grants
to local authorities, direct financial assistance by the government to
this service ceased.
Of a total of 742 recorded complaints (533 of rats and 209 of
mice), 518 were notifications, 49 re—notifications from occupiers or
other sources and 175 were found during survey. The monthly
average of complaints from all sources was 61 as compared with a
figure of 54 for the previous year.
In addition to the investigations of recorded complaints, 2,178
other surveys were carried out under the Prevention of Damage by
Pests Act, 1949, giving a grand total of 2,737.
During investigations, infestation was found to exist on 6
occasions in local authority's premises, 492 in dwelling houses and
117 in miscellaneous properties and places of business. Of these,
2 major infestations (one of mice and one of rats) were disclosed