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disappointing. Altogether 559 visits were paid for this
purpose.
The base and poison used on the first occasion
were bread mash and barium carbonate,, Subsequently, sausage
rusk was used with 5% zinc phosphide.
The routine followed for each manhole was
(i) Inspection and baiting with prepared base.
(ii) Examination following day and prebaiting again,
if necessary.
(iii) Examination on third day with further prebaiting.
(iv) laying of poisoned baits.
(v) Examination of 'take' on fifth or sixth day.
(vi) Further examination of 'take' several days later.
This routine took up much of the time of the
Inspectors with a consequent curtailment of other routine
inspections usually undertaken.
The results of the poisonings and gassings are
difficult to assess, but the bodies of dead rats have been
found in many cases and a conservative estimate would not be
lower than 1,000 rats.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Proceedings were taken on two occasions, viz.
(l) under the Public Health Act 1936, Section 92, when an
Order of the Court was obtained, and (2) under the Rats and
Mice (Destruction) Act 1929, when a fine of £5. 0. and costs
was imposed.
REGULATED TRADES,
COWSHEDS AND DAIRIES.
As in the previous year 7 dairy farms were
functioning in the District and two of the farms were licenced
by the Surrey County Council to produce ''Accredited" milk.
In addition one of the farms was licenced to produce "Tuberculin
Tested" milk.
At the end of the year there were 11 registered
dairies, as in 1943? and 13 registered retailers (1 less than
in 1943) of whom 6 live out of the District. There has been
a reduction of 17 registered retailers, (3 from outside the
District), compared with 1941.
Two of the registered dairies retail heat treated
milk, treated on their own premises and authorised by the
Ministry of Food.
SLAUGHTER HOUSES.
There are two slaughter houses within the
district but neither was licenced during the year.
Two licences to slaughter -animals were issued to
slaughtermen under the Slaughter of Animals Act 1935. These
men are employed at private slaughter houses belonging to
Public Institutions in the District.
BAKEHOUSES.
There were seven bakehouses engaged chiefly in
the manufacture of bread and confectionery, and 28 other places
at which confectionery was produced for sale or consumption on
the premises.
There are also bakehouses at private institutions
hotels, schools, etc., all of which are inspected from time to
time.