View report page

59
elsewhere. Particulars of the latter were sent to the Local Authorities
concerned, while information concerning 41 outworkers resident
in Hampstead was received from other Authorities.
In no instance during 1933 was outwork found to be carried on
in unwholesome premises.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
The Borough Council issues an advisory leaflet on the eradiction
of rats and mice, and rat poisons may he purchased from the Public
Health Department. Upon request, the Council sends an employee,
who lays poison baits at infested premises on three separate occasions,
for the sum of ten shillings.
The Public Health Committee gave authority on 19th September
for ernploying the services of a firm of professional rat catchers to
deal with any specially infested areas.
Bug Infestation of Houses.
The question of dealing effectually with bug infested premises
has received special attention during the year. Doubtless due in large
measure to the very hot summer, the Public Health Department has
been appealed to in an unusually large number of cases to help landlords
and tenants of premises where bugs have appeared. There were
233 requests for bug disinfestation during the year.
For many years past the need for dealing with these and kindred
pests has been the subject of concern to health officers. In 1904, the
Fondon County Council secured the insertion of clauses relating to
verminous houses in their General Powers Act of that year, but these
provisions having been found to be insufficient to attain the objects
aimed at, they were repealed and provisions in lieu thereof were
secured by the General Powers Act of 1922, whereby a Sanitary
Authority is empowered, at their own expense, to cause filthy or
verminous articles to be cleansed, disinfected or destroyed. The same
Act also empowers the Sanitary Authority to order the owner or
occupier to carry out the cleansing of vermin infested houses. In a
later General Powers Act of 1928, the Sanitary Authority was given
authority to apply to a petty sessional court for an order for the
compulsory removal of a verminous person to the Cleansing Station,
who will not consent voluntarily to attend such Station for cleansing.