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Verminous Persons.—The numbers of adults and school children using the Cleansing Station were 658 (561 men,
97 women) and 1,235 (330 boys, 905 girls) respectively.
Rats and Mice.—Complaints received numbered 466, and 70 food and 376 other premises were found to be infested.
Of the 70 food premises, 34 were shops and 36 hotels and restaurants; the 376 other premises included 216 dwelling
houses, 42 shops, 53 stores, 44 factories, 11 hospitals and 2 allotments. Ratproofing was carried out at all infested
premises. The chief methods employed for the extermination of rats were poison baiting and trapping. Among the
sources of infestation were sewers and drains damaged as a result of enemy action, and bombed sites Preventive
measures taken in this connection included the inspection of 475 premises and the sealing off of 17 sewer connections.
A system of charging for services carried out by the Council's rat catchers came into operation on the 1st November,
1944. During the remaining two months of the year advantage of the scheme was taken in 99 cases, in four of which,
on the ground of inability to pay, the charges against the occupiers were waived. The two rat catchers made 6,087
visits in connection with this service.
Dog Nuisance.—Contravention of the bye-law relating to the fouling of footways by dogs was reported by police
officers in three cases, in all of which, following prosecution, convictions were secured and penalties imposed. The total
number of prosecutions since the bye-law came into operation in 1928 is 304, the amount of fines imposed being
£113 16s. Od.
Mosquitoes.—Four complaints of mosquitoes were received. The nuisance was mainly traced to breeding in emergency
water tanks, and appropriate treatment proved effective.
Pigeons.—-Nuisance from these birds was the subject of eight complaints—two relating to blocks of flats, two to
churches, and one each to railway property, municipal buildings, general stores, and a cinema. All complaints were
dealt with satisfactorily and a contractor was employed to reduce the number of pigeons in serious cases.
Noise.—Five complaints of noise were received. Four were concerned with wireless loudspeakers, and in one instance
the issue of a notice was necessary to secure abatement of the nuisance. Noise from a bakehouse was the subject of
the remaining complaint.
Poisons.—The names of 74 traders were on the Council's list of persons entitled to sell poisons included in Part II of
the Poisons List (Pharmacy and Poisons Acts, 1852 to 1941), the promises concerned numbering 85.
Factories.—The number of registered factories was 1,280. Frequent inspections were carried out, and conditions
were remedied in 27 instancos (want of cleanliness 5; insufficient or unsuitable sanitary conveniences 12; other
defects 10). Outworkers lists wore received from 65 employers in respect of 237 contractors and 526 workpeople.
Civil Defence.—Miscellaneous visits by the sanitary inspectors in connection with civil defence activities not referred
to elsewhere in this report numbered 165 and included visits relating to maintenance of first-aid posts.
Sanitary Inspection.—The total number of complaints received was 1,242. Mainly as a result of publicity campaigns,
rat infestations were again responsible for the largest single number of complaints (466). Details of the various nuisances
detected and remedied, to the total number of 1,531, are set out in Table 5. In 384 cases the nuisances were abated
upon service of a preliminary (intimation) notice. Statutory notices were issued in 38 instances, and referred to such
matters as dirt, dampness, verminous rooms, unsatisfactory water-closet accommodation, inadequate water supply,
defective roofs, defective and choked drains. In no case was it necessary to institute legal proceedings.