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15
Rat Repression.
Though activity in this connection continues unabated, the number of complaints
received varies little year by year. In 1930 it reached 60, and in 1931, 74.
The investigation of these complaints necessitated the inspection of 82 premises,
33 of which were used for business purposes (5 of these for the preparation or
storage of food), the remaining 49 being private or tenement houses. In 35 of the
cases investigated the infestation was directly attributable to defects in the
drainage system, 20 being disused single drains of buildings recently demolished.
The nuisance disappeared when the drains were sealed off, and in the other 15
cases the repair or reconstruction of the drainage system led to the desired result.
In every instance all advice and assistance was given to the owner or occupier by
Inspector Willis, who acted as Rat Officer, and secured excellent results from the
methods advocated.
The following report submitted to the Public Health Committee on the 1931
Rat Week held in the Borough contains a certain amount of information that may
be found interesting.
" In accordance with the suggestion of the Ministry of Agriculture, National
Rat Week (the thirteenth of the series), was held in St. Marylebone during the
week commencing Monday, November 2nd, 1931, the action taken following more
or less that of previous years.
The general public were notified of the importance of rat and mouse destruction
by means ot special posters and leaflets displayed and distributed throughout the
district, and considerable prominence was also given to the subject in the daily and
local press.
Owners and occupiers of premises known to be infested with rats were supplied
with the latest bait recipes, and received from the Inspector specially detailed for
the work advice and guidance as to the methods to be adopted to rid their property
of the vermin. In addition, circulars were sent to the occupiers of food premises
(butchers, restaurants, grocers, dairies, provision dealers, fishmongers, etc.),
property agents, large business houses and institutions within the Borough, drawing
their attention to, among other things, the menace to health which the presence
of rats constitutes, and their responsibilities under the provisions of the Rats and
Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
The sewers, which are regularly baited, received additional attention during
the week, and a greatly increased number of barium carbonate baits were laid.
Close co-operation with neighbouring boroughs was also again secured in this
direction.
The several railway companies having stations, etc., in the Borough, showed
great activity in connection with their embankments, sidings and warehouses, and
the occupiers of the larger open spaces all took part in the campaign.
While St. Marylebone may be less affected by the rat nuisance than other
districts, constant vigilance is necessary on the part of the local authority and of
all occupiers of lands and premises in order to keep the numbers down. Although
there is no slackening of effort by the Council at any period of the year, Rat Week
serves a most useful purpose in affording an opportunity of carrying out propaganda
on the rat problem in the Borough and securing concerted action throughout
the district with a view to the destruction of rats and mice."
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. Ten complaints were received from churches and other institutions,
and as much assistance as possible was given by the inspector (Mr. Willis)
in charge of this work to reduce the nuisance.