View report page

80
During the year the number of applications granted for entry
of names on the list of persons entitled to sell poisons under Part
2 of the Act was 29. In addition, 262 applications were made for
the retention of names on the list for a further period of twelve
months. 11 infringements of the Act were found.
FERTILISERS AND FEEDING STUFFS ACT, 1926.
45 inspections of premises where fertilisers and feeding stuffs
were sold were carried out during the year. Samples taken proved
genuine.
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949.
This Act is mainly concerned with the destruction of rats and
mice and it places a duty on the occupier of any premises to report
to the Local Authority any infestation by such rodents. Three
ratcatchers, officially designated rodent operatives, are employed
to deal with such complaints.
During the year, 1664 private dwellings were inspected
following complaints and in 867 instances infestation was confirmed.
The rodent operatives dealt with 735 of these infestations
and the occupiers themselves, after being advised, dealt with 108.
In 24 instances defective drainage was permitting the egress of
rats from the sewers—appropriate action was taken to have the
drains repaired and the adjacent sewers treated. 147 business
premises were found to be infested with rats or mice and these
were all disinfested during the year. Corporation owned premises
including sewage works, refuse tips, depots, etc., are periodically
inspected for the presence of rodents and if infested then action is
taken by the department to eradicate the pests. 34 such premises
were found to be infested during the year. Included in the
Corporation's ownership are the sewers of the Borough and for
some years now these have been systematically treated for rat
infestation and the results have shown a steady decline in the rat
population over the years. Originally each manhole on the foul
water sewerage system was baited and takes of bait, proving the
presence of rats, were observed in 1,323 manholes. During 1951
the manholes showing the presence of rats had been reduced to
367.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries through their pest
control branch are constantly experimenting in the war against
rodents and other pests, and are ready to pass on to Local
Authorities any new findings which will be helpful in this essential
public health function.