View report page

21
(b) Gipsies.
Quite a number of gipsy caravans visit the district during the course
of the year and encamp on parcels of unfenced waste land to the north
of the Borough. These nomads cause a considerable nuisance to the
house-holders in the neighbourhood of the encampments by their
insistent demands for water and their very low standards of hygiene.
The Public Health Inspectors have to spend a considerable amount of
time in securing the removal of these caravans, and the police are very
co-operative in rendering assistance for this purpose.
(v) Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
During the year the Public Health Inspectors and Rodent Operative
carried out 2,912 inspections or re-inspections to premises suspected of
being infested with rats or mice, and disinfestation measures were carried
out where necessary.
Further treatment of the sewers for rat disinfestation has been
carried out during the year.
In addition to rats and mice a number of complaints were received
concerning grey squirrels, pigeons and moles; advice was given in all
instances and where special treatment was necessary the matters were
referred to the County Pest Officer.
(vi) Disinfestation.
Advice is given on all cases of infestation. Where the infestation
is slight the Council has agreed to the work of disinfestation being
carried out by the Rodent Operative, under the supervision of a Public
Health Inspector, the charge made being based on labour and material.
When the infestation is found to be severe, the persons concerned are
advised to employ the services of specialist firms.
During the year assistance has been given to householders in ridding
premise of wasps, carpet beetles and other troublesome insects.
(vii) Pet Animals Act, 1951.
There are 16 persons licensed under the above Act to keep Pet
Shops. Frequent inspections are made to ensure that the conditions of
the license e are complied with.
3.—INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
(i) Mi. Supply.
At the end of the year 40 firms were registered as retailers or
distributors. Of these, 20 were licensed to retail Tuberculin Tested Milk,
32 were licensed to retail Pasteurised Milk and 38 were licensed to retail
Sterilised Milk.
One Pasteurising plant has been kept under surveillance by the
department.
During the year, 114 samples of milk were taken, and all passed
the prescribed tests.