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Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924, are in hand or under consideration.
Such works have reference to (i) the provision of new
shop fronts (glass), marble slabs, mechanical ventilators, proper and
suitable covered receptacles for offensive matters, etc., and (ii) alterations
to positions of w.c.'s, etc.
RATS AND MICE (DESTRUCTION) ACT, 1919.
Much good work has been carried out by the officers duly
appointed, viz.: the Borough Surveyor and the 12 District Sanitary
Inspectors. Attention is specially noteworthy in connection with the
Brixton Arcade (Market), 457-461, Brixton Road, about which serious
complaints were received as to the existence of rats caused or
encouraged by such market premises, chiefly a market for food The
complaints became so serious that a special enquiry was instituted
by the Medical Officer of Health.
The Market Arcade consists of stalls and shut-up shops, and extends
between Brixton Road and Electric Lane. Complaints were first
received with regard to rats at the commencement of the year 1925,
with the result that an inspection was made of the market, and an
Intimation Notice served under the Public Health (London) Act,
1891, under the date of the 13th of January, 1925, upon the owner,
Mr. W. Cooper, of 18, Savoy Street, Strand, W.C. 2, who is also an
occupier in the market, whilst, at the same time, notice was given to
the Council's Borough Engineer, so that such precautions might be
taken as might be deemed necessary by Mr. Cooper (owner and part
occupier), on behalf of the occupiers in connection with the premises
and by the Council's Borough Engineer in connection with the sewers,
as probable sources of the rats.
The Market Arcade, etc., are cleaned up thoroughly each night,
and refuse is carted away daily. The groundwork throughout is all
concreted over. Virus and other poisons in quantities were tried by
the owner. A watchman was appointed to keep watch during the
night and he reported that rats were seen nightly crossing the roads
into the market, from the old buildings, etc., in the rear of
Electric Lane. A professional rat catcher, was also employed as well
as ferrets and nets (in addition to the poison baiting and ordinary
trapping).
The ground upon which the Market stands is paved (Granolithic
Pavement) and surface-drained towards, and on to, the neighbouring
roadways, so that such ground can be readily hosed down.
No noticeable improvement-at-least, permanent improvement, was
the result, and a statutory notice was served upon the owner on March
14th, 1925, under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
It was decided to carry out systematic testings of the drainages in
connection with the arcade and the premises adjoining (on both sides
and at the rear). Smoke testing (under pressure) was employed, with
the following results.