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30
Sanitary Inspection.
The sanitary conditions of the Borough were subject to
routine inspection and investigations were made into all complaints
received.
Particulars of visits made by the Sanitary Inspectors during
the year, the numbers of preliminary and statutory notices served
and complied with, and proceedings instituted, will be found on
reference to the table in the Statistical Supplement.
Owing to the difficulty in filling vacancies in the inspectorial
staff, it was not always possible to take action to investigate
complaints and secure the abatement of nuisances as expeditiously
as desired.
Factories.
During the year 17 notices were served relating to insanitary
conditions found to exist during the inspection of factories in
the Borough.
In the Statistical Supplement will be found a table which
has been prepared in accordance with the form prescribed by
the Minister of Labour and National Service on the administration
of the Factories Act, 1937, dealing with factories (mechanical
and non-mechanical) and outwork.
Rodent Control.
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
In 1951 we instituted the practice of every visit to any
premises being used as an inspection for rodents, and considerable
success followed in discovering hidden infestations.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have now written
to all local Authorities to follow the same procedure.
Complaints and infestations discovered by Sanitary
Inspectors have both increased during the year, and in many
cases it has been more difficult than usual to locate the source.
We have also undertaken four "Block" controls which
demand a great deal of preliminary investigation. "Block"
control is decided upon when a number of infestations occur in
a well-defined area. The whole area, or " Block," is then treated.
Six major infestations were encountered and were successfully
dealt with, but it should be borne in mind that very often
a minor, less clearly defined infestation, is much harder to combat
than that of a major one whose boundaries are easier to
demarcate.
Sewer manholes were baited, as is usual, twice during the
year, and the takes of poison were substantially the same as in
previous years.