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of 'Paladin' containers, mainly from blocks of flats. This method was
adopted in 1955 since when 1,000 of these containers have been installed,
which involves 120,000 collections during the year.
The Cleansing Department carried out 31,255 cleansings of 5,093 street
gullies by means of mechanical gully emptiers.
Rodent Control
In accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food, statistics on rodent control work for surface infestations
carried out by the Department during the year were submitted to
the Ministry. In this period, 1,520 dwellings and other premises were
inspected and 1,007 found to be infested with mice and rats. Treatments
were carried out by the Department's rodent control staff in 909 properties
found to be infested, the charges for servicing business premises amounting
to £394.
By the implementation of Section 4 of the Prevention of Carnage by
Pests Act 1949, under which 40 Notices were.served during the year, it
was found possible to clear bombed sites of refuse which would otherwise
act as possible harbourage for rats and other vermin. Moreover, under
the same section, which permits specified works to be carried out, it has
been possible to require that sites be fenced in by the owners.
Technical Circulars are issued periodically by the Infestation
Control Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Those issued during the year dealt with Sewer rat harbourage and building
works; The Control of mice with Rodenticide dust; New rodenticide McN.1025
and Rat Control Planning.
A copy of the Return furnished to the Ministry is shown on pages 51
and 52.
The Council carries out on behalf of the Stepney Group Hospital
Management Committee any necessary treatments for rodent infestation at
hospitals and other premises in the Borough which come' under the control
of that Committee.
Water Supply
The whole of the Borough is supplied with water by the Metropolitan
Water Board, which is the authority responsible for its purity. The
quantity and quality of water supplied by the Board during the year
have been satisfactory. All the premises in the Borough are supplied
individually direct from the public water mains.
The number of instances where the water supply to premises was
reinstated or repaired, following action taken by the Department,
totalled 78, and the Metropolitan Water Board was notified on three
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