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49
attention was paid to the properties owned or occupied by
the Corporation, and all sewers were baited. The
co-operation of the Chamber of Commerce, and especially
of the local chemists, was obtained, the latter making:
special window displays. Large and small posters issued
by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries were freely
displayed throughout the district together with posters
furnished by a proprietory firm specialising in rat poison.
The Health Department provided rat poison (red
squill) free on application and made distribution of
handbills at the various centres and clinics in the town. A
small exhibition of stuffed rats, specimen baits and
specimens of the raw material used in making baits was
organised by the Chief Sanitary Inspector. Visitors to
the exhibition were instructed in the best methods of
dealing with infestations and were given literature on rat
destruction, e.g., the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries' pamphlets, Advisory Leaflet No. 49 and
Advisory Bulletin No. 30.
The areas of Hayes and Keston which were added to
the Borough in 1934 were specially circularised with
propaganda literature.
Despite the publicity given again in 1934 by posters,
handbills and press notices, one cannot report that the
response of the general public was good. The following
details relate to applications made to the Health
Department for free poisons, etc.:—
Total No applicants for free poison 78
(a) From Trade Premises 16
(b) From Private Premises 62
No. of bottles of red squill given free 123
No. of tins of red squill biscuits 28
There was no request for the gassing machine.
Apart from the special efforts put forward to stimulate
public interest during Bat Week, the Department has
always pursued the policy of maintaining interest in rat
destruction throughout the year. During 1934 the
Sanitary Inspectors made 219 inspections with reference to
rat infestations. In 93 instances informal notices were
served tQ rid premises of rats, and at the end of 1934