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rats and mice.—Two hundred and twenty-seven complaints of rates or mice were made to the Department during
the year, an increase of thirty-six over the number received during 1944. Where necessary the Borough Engineer
and Surveyor was asked to arrange for examinations of the sewer connections of affected premises, and also of adjoining
premises, and a number of defects were found and made good.
Mr. A. C. Harrison, one of the Food Inspectors, carried out the duties of Rodent Officer until the 5th November,
when Mr. W. A. Dunkley, who had been appointed as a full-time Rodent Officer, took over the duties, and at the same
time two of the Fumigation Operatives were transferred to the Rat Extermination Service, and were designated Rat
Catchers. Concurrently with these changes, the Council decided to make a charge for the Service, and this was fixed
at 5s. per treatment for private premises, and 10s. for business premises. In the case of poorer persons, the Medical
Officer of Health was authorised to waive these charges, subject to approval of the Public Health Committee in each
case.
At the end of 1944 a major infestation of rats was discovered at the Council's Piggeries in the Paddington
Recreation Ground, and three treatments were given during 1945—in January, February and December—and it was
computed that about one thousand rats were killed. Otherwise during the year only a minor secondary degree of
rat infestation was found in the food and other premises in the Borough. This condition also applied to mice. Where
infestations were found, the usual method of pre-baiting followed by poison bait was employed, but trapping was
resorted to in some cases.
During the year the sewers were given a further treatment for the elimination of rats, 427 entrances being dealt
with, resulting in an estimated kill of 2,445. Altogether, four treatments have now been given to the sewers, and the
total estimated kill is 11,800.
food supervision.
Sampling.—Five hundred samples (which included 157 of milk) were taken for analysis. These were all reported
by the Public Analyst to be genuine samples.
Unsound Food.—The weight of diseased and unsound food surrendered by tradesmen and dealers for destruction
was approximately 16 tons.
Inspections.—During the year 463 inspections were made of the premises from which milk is sold or distributed,
and 4,609 inspections of other food premises. At the end of the year the register showed that there were in the Borough
59 Dairies, 57 Purveyors of Milk, and 870 other Food Premises.

Seven samples of " Pasteurised " milk were taken and these complied with the prescribed conditions with one exception.
There are no Pasteurising plants in the Borough, neither is there any bottling of " Tuberculin Tested " milk.
Bacteriological Examination of Food.—One sample of meat of the "spam" type examined showed no unusual
features.
housing.—Up to the 31st December, 1945, 474 dwellings in 173 requisitioned properties were provided for
Paddington families, and a further 13 families were accommodated in temporary houses. During the year 11
Paddington families secured accommodation on London County Council Estates.
At the end of the year the number of houses on which extended work was completed in conformity with the
Minister of Health's standard for war damaged houses was 7,500.
Schemes for the erection of 154 flats on two sites at Fulham Place and St. Mary's Square are in hand.
Closing Orders on the upper parts of two mews premises were determined following the completion of approved
works, and three persons living in premises the subject of clearance or closing orders made prior to the year under
review secured accommodation of a private nature by their own efforts.