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I called attention in last year's report to the possibility that the
Court might be closed after the twelve months' extension agreed by the
county council. Early in 1957 however the county council informed the
borough council that the Court would be retained.
Rodent control
A section, consisting from May to September of a foreman and
three operatives and from October to April of the foreman and seven
operatives, is maintained for the purpose of repressing rat infestation,
and this section is supervised by the senior public health inspector.
In his report on rodent control work during 1956, Mr. Walker,
the senior public health inspector, states: —
" The number of premises found to be rat infested shows a
considerable reduction on the previous year when the number was
unusually high and was commented upon at that time. The amount
of poison bait taken during treatment of the rivers was also less and
would suggest a reduction in the above-ground rat population. The
infestations dealt with were all of a minor character and spread fairly
evenly over the whole of the borough.
"The results of the sewer treatments carried out during the
year do not coincide with the above ground treatment and actually
show an increase in pre-bait taken in the summer treatment over the
previous year. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have
decided, with the cooperation of all local authorities to, in future
carry out these treatments during the months of April and October. It
is thought that among other advantages to be gained, there will be
less chance of the sewers being surcharged at these times, as the
month of December particularly has been troublesome in this respect.
It has also been decided to carry out an extended system of prebaiting
i.e. on days 1, 3, 5 instead of the usual 1, 2, 3 and the result
of this will be reviewed at a later date."