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35
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 number 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 quickly as
we would have liked.
Factories.
During the year 16 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.
Once again I have to report a very busy year, both as
regards the number of complaints investigated, and stubborn
infestations being traced to their source and then cleared.
The number of stubborn cases requiring extra investigations
appears to be on the increase.
The complaints for rats and mice increased steeply from 467
to 617, but in about 70 cases these proved to be duplication or
false alarms.
Infestations discovered, other than by complaint, fell from
134 to 101 (60 rat and 41 mice). The nett result is that the
number of premises actually infested fell from 561 to 535.
Mice account for 40% of all infestations, a similar figure to
that of 1953, and as part of the programme to combat this purely
domestic pest, we are endeavouring to educate the public to be
more careful in food management at home.
Four "Block" control areas were inspected and treated.
The sewer manholes were baited twice during the year and
showed a slight decrease in "takes."
87 Notices under the Public Health Act and 4 under the
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act were served for drain and
other defects relating to Bodent Control. Fifteen other drains
were repaired without notice.