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75
The palliative, trapping, is most conveniently effected by the varnish trap, though
every device found to be efficient should be used under circumstances suitable to its employment.
The following figures have been supplied to me by the City Engineer :—
Brick sewers reconstructed 6
Brick sewers constructed 2
Brick sewers being reconstructed (January, 1930) 2
Brick sewers being constructed (January, 1930) 1
Disused sewers filled in and abolished 7
Miscellaneous repairs to sewers and drains, etc 48
New drains constructed in connection with new buildings 28
Drains of existing buildings reconstructed 30
Drains reconstructed in connection with house reconstruction 68
Gulley drains reconstructed 72
Gulleys constructed 8
House and gulley drains repaired 236
Disused drains bricked up 411
Rats killed by sewer foreman and his men 1,007
No poison was used in the sewers during the year.
The number of drain reconstructions carried out under the supervision of the Inspectors
attached to this department is set out on page 76.
Rat-catchers and poisoners are engaged on contract in many of the tea-shops, restaurants,
hotels and business premises; several vacant building sites were dealt with, and all
necessary information was given to representatives who called for advice. Rat-proofing
was carried out in 333 buildings. This last consisted of the wiring of area gratings,
ventilators and roof openings, and the stopping of rat holes in walls and floors, the removal
of wooden floors from basements, with substitution of concrete and the stripping of internal
walls of woodwork which affords breeding places.