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pany and the Central London Railway Company, reporting on the results achieved
in this connection. This clearly indicates that by the use of various methods of rat
destruction, including traps, poisons and gas, the numbers have been reduced to
negligible proportions, only some sixty rats having been caught over the whole
system. This improved condition is confirmed by the inspector so far as St.
Marylebone is concerned.
Equally satisfactory returns were received from the power stations, railway
stations (above ground), sidings, warehouses, and in respect of the various open
spaces in the Borough. In addition, co-operation with neighbouring boroughs in
connection with increased baiting of the sewers was again secured during Rat
Week.
Special posters were displayed and leaflets distributed throughout the
Borough, and prominence was given to the subject in the daily and local press.
Circulars were also sent to occupiers of food premises, to property owners and
agents, and to the large business houses and institutions in the Borough drawing
attention to the duties imposed by statute in connection with rat destruction and,
at the same time, offering to assist in every way possible with technical advice
as to the best means to be adopted in any particular circumstances for ridding
property of the pests."
Pigeons.
In relation to the nuisance caused by these birds, the Borough Council was not
given what may be called an official position until after the coming into operation of
Sec. 52 of the L.C.C. (General Powers) Act, 1927. In this section the Council
was empowered to seize and destroy, sell, or otherwise dispose of, or cause to be
seized, etc., house doves or pigeons in excessive numbers, if they believe them to be
without an owner. Under these powers an agreement was made with a firm
specializing in work of this kind. The results obtained were not satisfactory and
after a time the agreement lapsed. Some attempt at netting the birds frequenting
the Town Hall was made and a certain number were caught, and by fixing spikes
in certain positions on the eastern flank it was hoped that the pigeons would be
prevented from nesting in this position. The cost of this work was £27 7s. 10d.
and some amount of effect has been produced. Occasional complaints are received
from churches and other institutions, and as much assistance as possible is given
by the inspector in charge of this work to reduce the nuisance.
Fouling of Footways by Dogs.
About the middle of the year 1928 a bye-law dealing with the matter of the
fouling of footways by dogs came into operation, and leaflets notifying the fact
were widely distributed and exposed on lamp-posts and elsewhere.
Prior to this date efforts were made, by means of notices and leaflets, to
induce dog owners to realize the seriousness of the nuisance caused and to take
steps to obviate it. These no doubt produced a certain amount of effect, but it was
because it was felt that something more stringent was needed that the bye-law
referred to was passed.
In enforcing the provisions of the bye-law great assistance has always been
obtained from the police. In 1930, the only prosecution undertaken was on the
report of a police officer. In this case the defendant, who pleaded guilty, was fined
5/-. Including this case the total number of prosecutions since the bye-law came
into operation is 4, the amount of fines imposed being £1 10s. Od.
Though complaints of nuisance from this cause still continue to be made, it
would appear to be justifiable to claim that as a result of the operation of the byelaws
there has been a certain amount of improvement. In this connection it is
probable that some effect has been produced by the posters in use in the Borough.
These in addition to drawing attention to the existence of the bye-law indicate
the need for the co-operation of the public with the Council in order to secure the
abolition of the nuisance.