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51
Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952
Number of inspections and re-visits 63
London Connty Council (General Powers) Act, 1954.
Hairdressers and Barbers
Number of Gentlemen's Hairdressers 87
Number of Ladies' Hairdressers 87
Number of Ladies' and Gentlemen's Hairdressers 17
Number of premises where hairdressing ceased
Number of Establishments situated in basements 4
Number of Establishments situated in dwelling houses 2
Number of Establishments where no assistants are employed 49
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
Complaints of rodent infestation increased by 108 over the previous year. The reasons
for this include
(a) the age of some properties,
(b) increase in the number of houses in multiple occupation, and
(c) the very wet year which resulted in an increased flow in the sewers and drains
and, in consequence, more rats coming to the surface.
There is no record of any infestation of ship rats during the year under review.
By reference to the number of inspections and visits made and the number of infestations
found which are dealt with in the following table, it will be recognised that the Rodent Section
of the Department has been kept fully occupied.
Twenty-three infestations were traced to defective drains, 5 to unsealed fittings, 3 to
defective sewers and 5 to disused drains.
Quarterly inspections continued to be carried out at the Archway Group of Hospitals.
The Chief Public Health Inspector attended the three meetings of the Workable Area
Committee No. 1, and consequent upon the retirement of Mr. D. Grant, Chief Public Health
Inspector, Shoreditch, Mr. W.C, Bartlett was elected Chairman of this Committee. Mr. Jackson,
the Rodent Officer, attended this meeting on two occasions.
The work of rodent control requires continuity and patience in order to bring every case
to a satisfactory conclusion. A number of cases were only resolved after great difficulty
had been experienced. In one case of a school, which was the subject of complaint, it was
necessary to resort to block control, but it was found ultimately that rats were gaining access
through one of the drains where the cap was missing from the rodding arm. Upon this being
replaced, baiting continued until the infestation was cleared.
In another school, the outlet drain was found to be defective. This has now been repaired,
and it is anticipated that the infestation will cease.
Another case which received press publicity was in regard to a vacant site in Liverpool
Road. As a result of negotiations with another Authority who were the owners of this particular
site, a disused drain which was ultimately found, was sealed. No further complaints have been
received.