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Occasionally occupiers complain of the appearance of isolated bugs
and are supplied with liquid insecticide together with a spray for their
private use. A careful and diligent application of the insecticide has
proved effective after one or two weeks and no further trouble has been
found to arise in these houses.
The officers of the Council carried out all disinfestations during the
year and no special firm of contractors was engaged.
The homes of applicants for Council houses are inspected with a view
to obtaining some knowledge of their suitability as tenants, and if the
houses and furniture are found to be infested steps are taken as set
out above before removal is effected.
It has been necessary occasionally to submit the bedding to steam
disinfection.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
During the year there was an increase in the number of complaints
received and also a large increase in the number of inspections and reinspections
made.
The complaints numbered 95 and the total number of inspections
745, representing increases of 30 and 560 on the previous year. The
premises inspected were chiefly private houses, shops, garages with
concrete floors, premises where sheds had been erected, and sites on
which large heaps of vegetable refuse had remained undisturbed for
considerable periods. The very numerous railway embankments throughout
the district form an ideal harbouring place, especially where shops
and similar premises are in close proximity.
Residents are advised on the laying of poisoned baits or traps, or
on the demolition or ratproofing of sheds.
The necessary work may be undertaken, on request, by the Public
Health Department at a charge of 2/6d. per hour with a minimum charge
of 5/-, the cost of poisons being extra.
It was found necessary to serve six statutory notices during the
year, this being an increase of four on the previous year. Many residents
do not yet realise that the occupiers of premises are themselves responsible
for the destruction of the rats, although the department is always willing
to give advice as to the best means to adopt in any particular case.
SCHOOLS.
School Closure.—No public elementary school was closed during
the year on account of the prevalence of infectious disease amongst
the scholars.
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