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38
Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919.
The arrangements made by the Health Department
were similar to those adopted in past years, which
included free supplies of Red Squill, Red Squill Biscuits,
and a gassing machine and operator were available.
The usual baiting of the sewers was carried out. The
use of Red Squill continues to give satisfactory results.
The local chemists evinced greater interest in the
Rat Week Campaign, and six firms co-operated by
making special displays of poisons, posters, leaflets, and
stuffed rat exhibits were shown.
The public appear to take but little interest in Eat
Week in Bromley, as only 20 applications for free poisons
were received by the Health Department during the
Campaign. It does not appear that the public generally
realise that it is their duty, and not the duty of the
Local Authority, to rid premises of rats. The Health
Department assists the public by offering facilities and
advice on the best methods of destruction. Such general
action is taken throughout the year as may be necessary
to abate the presence of rats in property under the control
of the Local Authority, and that the efforts of the Health
Department were not relaxed during the year is evidenced
by the fact that the inspectors made 136 visits to premises
where rat infestation existed, and 42 notices were served.
Nuisances.
Appendices VII. and VIII. are submitted by Mr.
G. R. Woods, Chief Sanitary Inspector, and indicate in
some measure the varied and valuable work carried out
by the sanitary inspectors. The noticeable increase in
the figures is due to increase in staff, an additional
sanitary inspector being appointed in March, 1931.
House-to-House Inspection.
Four hundred and seventy-nine houses were inspected
under the Inspection of District Regulations. This number
is a considerable increase on the former year's figureIn
addition, 511 houses were also inspected and notices
served to abate nuisances and defects. The majority of