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lessening of the general level of rat population in the district. During
the year under review, fewer complaints were received than in the
preceding 12 months and infestations were in all cases small.
Following visits to 282 premises, in addition to those from which
notification had been received, 50 instances of rat infestation were
found. Of the 323 premises at which evidence of infestation was
found, 43 were food premises and poultry was kept at 4 addresses
only. In 9 cases, smoke tests were applied to rat runs and as a result
defects in drains or sewers were revealed in 6 cases. The necessary
remedial works were carried out.

Treatment of Sewers
The 27th and 28th Maintenance Treatments of Sewers were
carried out in May and October, respectively when baits of oiled
warfarin incorporating a mould inhibitor were used. It is interesting
to note that of the 64 manholes in which there was evidence of rat
infestation in May, all but 2 were cleared of infestation when rechecked
with testbaits in October, having been baited to extinction in
the earlier treatment.
In order to undertake the treatment of sewers, it is necessary to
have the tempotary use of men and equipment from the Department
of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor, to whom I am grateful for
co-operation.