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As a result of action taken by the inspectors, additional sanitary
accommodation was provided in seven cases, heating of shop improved
in one case, lighting improved in two cases and proper hand-washing
facilities provided in 23 cases. In four cases the shopkeeper was
required to provide seats for female assistants.
In seven cases shop-keepers were found not to be keeping,
exhibiting or providing the necessary notices or records as required
by the Act.
Rodent Control.
On the 31st March, 1950, the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act,
1919, was repealed, and its place taken by the Prevention of Damage
by Pests Act, 1949. This Act is designed to make permanent provision
for preventing loss of food by infestation and one of its most notable
modifications is that the local authority may now, if they consider it
expedient, after a seven-day notice, carry out rat destruction work on
premises which are suitably grouped for " block control," recovery
of expenses reasonably incurred being made at a later date. The delay
occasioned by consulting the various interested parties and the time
and trouble taken to persuade the invariable back-slider is thus avoided
and further damage to valuable foodstuffs stopped.
Owing to their quick rate of breeding, one of the most important
factors in keeping down the rat population is the early notification
of infestation to the Health Department. Prevention by the occupier
is best secured by denying access to food and not providing suitable
harbourage for breeding.
The year's figures shew a further increase in the number of
occupiers who have availed themselves of the rodent control service
provided by the Local Authority.
During the year, infestation was notified at 452 premises, of which
387 were found infested by rats and 62 by mice.
One thousand, three hundred and thirty-eight inspections were
made by District Sanitary Inspectors to 647 premises. Three hundred
and eighty-eight premises were treated for rats and 42 for mice.
A whole-time rodent operative has been engaged since 1941. In
addition to work carried out at owner's or occupier's expense in dealing
with rodents on private property, he has also undertaken similar duties
on the properties in the possession of the Council, including sewers.
During the year he has made 5,187 visits in connection with the work
of eradicating rodents.
In order to discover the extent of the sewer rat infestation, the
regulation " One in Ten" test was made on sewer manholes. Of the
129 manholes selected and baited, only 22 showed "takes," which
indicates a reasonably satisfactory state of affairs. During the year, two
six-monthly treatments were carried out on the sewers and the first