View report page

41
part of this period, i.e., 1st January to 26th July, 1947, the Ministry of Food (Infestation
Branch) Comprehensive Scheme Circular N.S.12, was in progress and the staff
consisted (at the early part of the year) of the following:—
1 Supervisor, 1 Clerk, 4 Investigators, 1 Foreman, 11 Operators.
As progress was made in the survey and treatment of infested premises the staff
was gradually reduced in number and on 31st December, 1947, consisted of:—
1 Supervisor and 3 Operators.
These staff reductions were made owing to the comprehensive treatment given
during the year which brought about a reduction of the number of complaints
received and a great lessening of infested premises as a whole.
In the main the chief complaints of occupiers of dwelling houses were found to
be mice infestations.
Servicing
The servicing given was as laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
(Infestation Branch) and consisted of :—
4 days Pre-baiting, 1 day Poison bait laying, 1 day clearance.
For business premises two such operations as above were carried out over a
period of three weeks, requiring twelve separate visits. For dwelling houses one
operation was given unless for special reasons a further operation was found to be
necessary. All baits laid by the operators were inspected and recordings were taken
of the unpoisoned and poisoned bait "takes ".
The following is a summary of work carried out between 1st January and
31st December, 1947:—

NOTE.— The premises which were found to be mice-infested are included in column I. No
estimate of the number of mice destroyed can be given.