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10
In April, as in previous years, sewers throughout the Borough were baited for rats and the results
indicated that there was little change in the numbers of the rat population. It was felt, however,
that more should be done to reduce this apparently static infestation to a lower level. During the
summer season, therefore, in co-operation with the Borough Engineer, experiments were carried out
in the sewers of a selected small area with the object of evolving improved anti-rat methods. During
the course of these experiments the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who were consulted
from time to time, showed much interest in the work and especially in a cheap type of covered bait
container designed specifically for use in sewers. Early results would seem to justify an extension of
these new methods to sewers throughout the Borough but as experimental work was still in progress
at the end of the year no definite conclusions could be given and it will be necessary to wait until
after April, 1959, before making a final assessment of the value of the scheme.
Occupiers and owners of premises visited by the rodent control officer were co-operative in acting
on suggestions he made to them and it was necessary to serve only one statutory notice and 23 informal
written notices.
A summary of infestations and treatments given is shown in Table 10, page 32.
Disinfestation.
To rid dwelling houses of bugs, a spray of Kerosene with 5 per cent. D.D.T. and 0.1 per cent.
pyrethrins is applied either by hand or under pressure from a motor compressor, according to the
circumstances. This treatment is also given for flea and similar infestations which occur from time to
time. During the year, 276 rooms were disinfested, including ten requisitioned premises. Altogether
55 requisitioned premises were inspected for vermin on becoming vacant.
Furniture, more particularly that of people removing to fresh accommodation, is dealt with by
hydrocyanic acid gas in specially constructed vans. The Council continued to have this work done
by a contractor and during 1958 the furniture of 56 families, of whom 53 were being rehoused, was
treated by this method. In addition 741 verminous articles of bedding were disinfested by steam.
A small steam disinfector situated in the cleansing of persons section of Welfare Centre No. 2 is
used for the treatment of all articles up to the size of a single mattress. Arrangements with the Council
of the Royal Borough of Kensington for articles above this size to be steam treated in their plant at
Shepherd's Bush have worked most satisfactorily.
Verminous Persons.
The Council's Cleansing Station in Lisson Grove dealt with 861 verminous persons: adults 626
(men 566, women 60); children 235 (boys 44, girls 191).
Shelter.
It was not necessary during the year to make use of the shelter accommodation provided at No. 217,
Lisson Grove, under section 195 (4) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, for families temporarily
dispossessed of their homes. The room set aside for this purpose was, however, utilised for other
public health work.
Air Pollution.
Clean Air continued to be a subject of public interest and there was another increase in the number
of complaints received. These totalled 158. During 1,299 casual observations dark smoke necessitating
timed observation was seen on 41 occasions. Offenders were served with informal notices, warned
by letter or cautioned verbally. Some complaints were occasioned by the smoke arising from garden
bon-fires and from burning timber and refuse on building sites. Not only are such practices traditional
but the burning of infested or infected materials has been encouraged in the past. It is only when
smoke arising from fires of this nature becomes a nuisance to the inhabitants of the neighbourhood
within the meaning of the Clean Air Act, 1956, and the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, that an
offence is committed.
The first Smoke Control Order came into operation on 1st October. It was well supported by the
residents of the district concerned, St. John's Wood Terrace Ward, and no complaints regarding
infringements of the Order were received. The procedure for paying grants to owners and occupiers
operated smoothly but in consequence of late application or delays in carrying out necessary work
all claims were not settled by the end of the year.