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52
During the year 19-36, five houses on the Corporation's
estates were treated by the hydrogen cyanide gas method,
and in no case has there been a recurrence of vermin.
Due to propaganda carried out by the Department for
many years, occupiers and owners now voluntarily seek
advice on this subject.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ACT, 1919.
The usual procedure as regards propaganda during
Rat Week, 1936, was followed; large and small posters
issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, were
displayed throughout the area, official leaflets and
pamphlets were distributed and special notices on rat
destruction were inserted in the local press.
The Chief Sanitary Inspector, as in previous years,
again organised an exhibition of stuffed rats, poison
products and propaganda matter, and those who took
advantage of visiting the exhibition were grateful for the
advice given them.
Although much was done to enlist the support and
co-operation of the general public, their response was not
as gratifying as in 1935. It will be seen from the comparative
statistics below that the number of applicants
from private premises was less than that of the preceding
year, and tradesmen did not appear to show the interest
in Rat Week one would have anticipated, having regard
to the losses they incur annually through damage caused
by rats and mice.