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steam-raising plant, and from these no complaint of a serious nuisance
was received. Over the year 9 complaints were dealt with; 3 of these
involved the disposal by burning of waste matter from the factory
workshops, the remainder being associated with poor quality fuel. At
two laundries where smoke was giving rise to complaints the smoke was
the result of poor fuel. The abatement of smoke nuisance due to a low
grade or poor quality fuel is an extremely difficult matter.
Rat Infestation.
During the year 1,313 complaints of rats or mice were investigated,
an increase of 290 on the figure for 1949. In the case of 134 no infestation
was found; steps to destroy the rats or mice were taken in the remaining
1,179 cases.
The complaints received were scattered throughout the district and
gave no indication of one area being more heavily infested than another.
No premises or site in the district was found where there was anything
in the nature of a major infestation.
Three sewer treatments were carried out, but as in past years no
evidence of serious infestation was found.
Wasps Nests.
An unusually large number (239) of requests for assistance in dealing
with wasps nests was received in 1949. Last year the number fell to 118,
a more average figure.