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fixing the 'Bird Baffle' was undertaken by British Railways.
FLOODING IN HOUSES CAUSED BY BURST WATER PIPES
One of the inevitable results of the extremely cold weather
during the months of January and February was flooding in homes
due to burst water pipes.
Many residents who were without water due to freezing of
the supply pipes had in some cases the greater problem of flooding
to face when eventually the thaw restored the supply. The bursts
normally occured in pipes situated in the roof space, causing
saturation to bedding and soft furnishings in rooms, usually
bedrooms immediately below.
To assist residents in drying their belongings the equipment
at the Disinfecting Station was made available to them, and during
the cold weather the Department collected, dried and returned
bedding, clothing, mattresses, carpets and other items of soft
furnishings from 47 premises that had suffered severe flooding.
Three neighbouring local authorities not possessing drying
equipment of their own also sought assistance with the drying of
bedding and carpets from flooded houses in their areas. Such
assistance was gladly given and altogether eleven consignments
of bedding, carpets, etc. were dried out for these local authorities.
Collection to and delivery from the Disinfecting Station of the
various articles was arranged by the Boroughs concerned. Charges
to cover the labour involved and the plant used were made in respect
of the work carried out for non-residents of the Borough.
FOXES
A number of complaints were received of foxes having been
observed roaming on land and in gardens, driven, no doubt, by the
abnormally cold winter of 1962/63.
All such reports were investigated, and where foxes 'earths'
were found these were treated with 'Cymag' gas. During the period
under review seven 'earths' were discovered and treatment was undertaken
by the Rodent Control staff.
PHARMACY AND POISONS
At the end of 1963, 136 names were entered in the Council's
list of persons (other than Registered Pharmacists) entitled to
sell Part II poisons.
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