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high speed causing excessive noise, only to return within a short
time and repeat the process into the early hours of the morning.
Observations were kept at week-ends by the Public Health
Inspectors, and subsequently the aid of the Police was enlisted.
The presence of the Police was an undoubted deterrent to the
riders, but the nuisance was finally abated when the section of
road used by the riders of the motor cycles was restricted to a
speed limit, and more especially, after two youths were heavily
fined in the local Magistrates Court for exceeding the speed limit
in the section of road concerned.
RODENT CONTROL
During 1961 a total of 22,855 premises were inspected for
evidence of rat or mice Infestation. Of that number 1,171
premises were inspected as a direct result of complaints of rats
from the occupiers, and 478 calls were made following complaints
of mice infestations. The remaining 19,258 premises were visited
under the 'block' control scheme. In all 'block' control schemes
were carried out in the Borough during the year.
Including industrial and business premises, 2,102 properties
were disinfested of either rats or mice. Treatment is carried out
by the Council free of charge at all private dwellings; for
industrial and business premises a charge is made.
Where defects of a structural nature are found to be causing
an infestation the remedy is pursued with the owner of the property.
Although it was not found necessary to serve any formal
Notices during the year under the provisions of the Prevention
of Damage by Pests Act, 1949 31 drains suspected of being defective
were smoke tested by the staff of the Department, and in 22 cases
the tests showed the drains to be defective. Following informal
action by the Department, the defects so discovered were subsequently
remedied by the responsible owners.
Two sewer treatments and test baiting of the sewers were
carried out this year in conjunction with the staff of the Borough
Engineer.
The practice of baiting each manhole on the first and fourth
day, and poison baiting on the eighth day was continued. Zinc
phosphide was used, with paranitrophenol as a preservative. Where
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