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GENERALLY.
During the year, 392 complaints of nuisances were
investigated and other matters of an urgent nature dealt with,
including investigation of infectious diseases, inspection of
factories, supervision of drainage work and some routine
inspections.
A number of premises used as factories for the production
of war materials are not suitable for the type of work carried
on and complaints of noise have been received and dealt with and
additional and separate waterclosets and washing accommodation
provided.
Nuisance from flies has grown steadily worse during the war
years, largely due to the increase in the number of fowls, rabbits
and pigs now being kept and the consequent accumulation of kitchen
waste for feeding purposes and deposits of manure.
THE RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919, DISINFESTATION ORDER.1943.
Duties under the above were taken over from the Middlesex
County Council on the 1st February, 1944. Mr. J. Yates was
appointed Rodent Destruction Officer for the Borough and a fulltime
Rodent Operative for Finchley and Friern Barnet was also appointed.
Three hundred and forty nine complaints regarding rats and
42 regarding mice were received and dealt with, involving 174
"poisonings" and 128 "gassings".
A considerable amount of work was done to render premises
rat proof.
There is little doubt that there are many rats in the sewers
but, owing to the shortage of manpower, it was not possible to
deal with them before the end of the year.
A. A. TURNER.
Medical Officer of Health.