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12
Rat Repression.
The number of complaints received during- the year, viz., 60, was higher by
12 than the 1926 figure. The investigation of these complaints necessitated the
inspection of 65 premises, 29 of which were used for business purposes (8 of
these for the preparation or storage of food), the remaining 36 being private or
tenement houses. In 7 of the cases investigated the infestation was directly
attributable to defects in the drainage system and disappeared immediately these
were remedied. In every instance all advice and assistance was given to the
owner or occupier by Inspector Draper, who continued to act as Rat Officer, and
to obtain excellent results from the methods advocated.
A Rat Week was held during the year from the 31st October to the 5th
November, 1927, and attracted a considerable amount of attention to the subject.
Great assistance was obtained from the Borough Engineer and his staff, and
also from a number of large firms in the borough. The result, it is safe to state,
was a considerable reduction in the rat population of the sewers and other places
affected by these vermin.
PREMISES AND OCCUPATIONS CONTROLLED BY BY-LAWS
AND REGULATIONS.
The following list sets out in a convenient way the majority of the premises
and occupations of the class referred to in the heading to this part of the report,
and contains a certain amount of information with regard to registration, inspection, etc.