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were investigated and 2,086 treatments were applied.
9 complaints relating to 8 premises were outstanding
and receiving treatment at the end of the year.
749 inspections by the Rodent Officer and 5,127 visits
by the staff were made to apply treatment.
Sewer Treatments, During the year the 17th and 18th
Maintenance treatments were carried out by the Rodent Officer
and operatives on behalf of the Works Department in co-operation
with neighbouring Local Authorities under the direction
of the Infestation Division of the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries. 1,950 manholes and 1,880 manholes were baited
in May and December respectively.
These treatments restricted the sewer rat population to
fairly satisfactory levels, i.e., approximately 20% of the
known level of infestation before treatments were commenced
in 1943.
The constant uncertainties of all Rodent Control work
are seen most clearly in sewer treatments. A lapse of two
consecutive treatments will allow the rat population to rise
to its own natural level, dependent upon food supply and
breeding spaces available, whilst the continuance of the
treatments does little to reduce still further the infestation
levels.
It is hoped that a more effective technique will emerge
from the experiments with new poisons that are being conducted
by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Factories.
Details of the work carried out in connection with the
Factories Act, 1937, are given in the following tables
23.