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41
D (5)k Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act, 1960
Under the above Act, which came into operation on 29th
August, only one site consisting of one half acre of land will
be subject to licensing. The three caravans concerned occupy
a site which has been used for 40 years.
During the year, the area has been free from indiscriminate
caravan squatters.
D (5)1 Hop pickers
There are no hop fields in the district.
D (5)m Rodent control
Two fully trained operatives are employed to deal
with rodent infestations at commercial, private and Corporation
premises.
The number of premises inspected and treated during
the year is as follows:—
Commercial premises 34
Dwellings 123
In March and September a total of 104 Corporation
sewer manholes (inclusive of a 10% test) was subjected to
pre-baiting as a result of which nine manholes were found
to be infested, and these were successfully treated with baits
consisting of oatmeal, sugar, oil, warfarin and added preservative.
In conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food, a survey was made at a local oil works which
is the only known black rat reservoir in the Borough, when
it was found that the best practicable means were being
employed with a view to keeping the premises free from
major infestation. At this source also, an exhaustive investigation
was made into the possibilities of black rats being
conveyed to different parts of the country by means of road
transport, but having regard to all the circumstances, it was
considered that the chances were remote.
During the year, a fine specimen of Rattus rattus (an
outsize black rat) was secured by trapping, and sent to the
Ministry of Agriculture's Research Laboratory at Tolworth
for experimental purposes.