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40
Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919.
The following is a brief statement of the action taken
by tbe Local Authority during National Rat Week in
November, 1933:—
The sewers were baited and special attention was paid
to properties owned or occupied by the Corporation which
were likely to give rise to rat infestation.
A special circular letter was addressed to business
premises in the areas which were peculiarly liable to
infestation by rats by reason of the nature of the
businesses carried on, and a copy of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries' advisory leaflet supplied. The
circular letter set forth the objects of Rat Week and the
facilities offered by the Local Authority to aid occupiers
in the extermination of rats.
The co-operation of chemists was enlisted and certain
firms made special window displays. The Health
Department furnished them with posters, handbills and
loaned stuffed rats for window display.
The local press co-operated by publishing a special
memorandum supplied to them by the Health Department.
The memorandum called for concerted action between the
Local Authority and the inhabitants and set forth the
facilities offered by the Local Authority to aid in rat
destruction. Attention was drawn to the statutory
obligation of occupiers of land or buildings to take steps
to disinfest their property and hints were given with
regard to preventive and remedial measures which should
be exercised in dealing with rat infestation.
Posters were displayed in the Borough and handbills
were provided by the Health Department for distribution
by welfare centres, clinics, chemists, and by the Bromley
Chamber of Commerce.
Red Squill rat poison was on free issue on application
to the Health Department. The gassing machine was
available at cost of labour, and pamphlets issued by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries were distributed to
applicants.