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liability for the destruction of rats and mice rests with the occupier. The
Ministry of Food's very energetic publicity campaign exhorting everyone
to become a " rat reporter " unfortunately, from the point of view of the
recovery of charges, did not give equal prominence to the financial and
other responsibilities of the occupier. In consequence after a very
enthusiastic rat reporter reports to his Local Authority the presence of
rats on his land or premises he is very highly indignant when told that if
he wishes the Borough Council to carry out the necessary work of
extermination he will have to pay their charges. Numbers of people
have expressed their dissatisfaction to me in no unqualified terms, and
their general opinion is that the Council are imposing a " fine " or
" penalty " on them for " doing their duty." They have my sympathy
and I have made strong representations to the Ministry of Food asking
that charges to occupiers for rat destruction in private dwelling-houses
be waived, unless the infestation is palpably due to the act, neglect, or
default of the occupier.
The assessment of responsibility in certain areas is a matter of the
utmost difficulty and is complicated by factors such as war damage,
the keeping of animals, and the preponderant proportion of rats in
the sewers.
Sewers.
The concentration of work on war damage has precluded the systematic
treatment of sewers during the year, but it is hoped to resume this
work as soon as conditions permit.
Water Supply.
The supply provided by the Metropolitan Water Board has been
satisfactory (a) in quality, (6) in quantity ; no complaints were received
as to any form of contamination and no samples were taken for chemical
or bacteriological analyses.
All the dwellings in the Borough are supplied from public water mains
direct to the houses.
Disinfection.
The following is a record of the work carried out by the Disinfecting
Staff during 1944 :—
Number of houses or parts of houses and contents disinfected
895
,, verminous rooms disinfested 216
,, „ articles of clothing disinfested 9*
,, „ beds disinfested 300
* Excluding the clothing of persons dealt with at the Bathing Station.
Cleansing and Disinfection of Verminous Persons and their
Belongings.
The following cleansings and medicinal baths were carried out at
the Bathing Station, which forms part of the Public Health Station,
during the year: —
Verminous conditions :
Adults 35
Children under 5 1
„ over 5 10