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41.
HEATING APPLIANCES (FIREGUARDS) ACT, 1952
General observation was kept on the sale of heating appliances to ensure
that they complied with the Regulations made under the above—named Act. In
several cases the sellers and users of heating appliances requested that
their guards be tested.
The Chief Public Health Inspector made several tests of appliances at
the request of manufacturers and others in the Borough,
PREVENTION OF DAMAGE BY PESTS ACT, 1949.
The rodent staff employed for this particular work consists of one
rodent supervisor — Mr. Bryant (part—time), one investigator and two rodent
operators. The whole of the sewer system throughout the Borough was treated,
and poison baiting was carried out twice during the year.
The second maintenance treatment of 1956 was carried out in the Borough
from the 26th November to 8th December inclusive, when for the first time a
full scale Warfarin 5 treatment was carried out. This is the first time
that this system of baiting has been carried out in the London area. The
initial results are very satisfactory and the officers of the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are satisfied up to the present with the
results of this new method of treatment. Further treatments are being
carried out in a similar manner during 1957 and until these treatments have
been carried out, complete results as to whether the experiment has been a
success or not cannot be fully estimated.
The number of complaints received in connection with the common rat
increased during the year, probably owing to the amount of new building which
has been done in the Borough and the consequent disturbance of old drains
during demolition.
It is customary, when buildings are demolished, for the Public Health
Inspector to visit and ensure that the old drains are effectively sealed off
from the sewer. In connection with the complaints received, 271 drains
were tested and in 79 cases it was found that the drainage was defective.
Notices were served to remedy the defects found.
There has been a continued decrease in complaints regarding infestation
by the black rat.
During the year the system of arranging for contracts with business
firms to assist them in rodent disinfestation was instituted. 26 Contracts
were entered into.
Infestations from mice appear to have been on the decrease this year.
The following tables are an indication of the amount of work carried out in
connection with the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949-