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113
resident in the area of the authority ", while Section 23 of this
Act states "where it appears to a Local Authority that any thing in their
area, other than a motor vehicle, is abandoned without lawful authority
on any land in the open air or on any other land forming part of a highway,
the authority may if they think fit remove the thing".
It is hoped that, before long, the effect of this most useful piece of
legislation will make itself apparent and that those with rubbish to dispose
will take it to the centres available from which it can be collected and
disposed of by the Local Authority without it giving rise to annoyance or
the creation of a nuisance.
VERMIN AND OTHER PESTS
During the year 260 complaints were received about either rats or
mice and infestations were found at 1,929 premises. The complaints
received, while the highest for some years, did not reveal one part of the
area as being more seriously affected than another and nomajorinfestations
were found.
The feeding of birds by the scattering of food scraps on lawns and
gardens and the retention of unwanted material which provides cover for
vermin are factors that militate against a marked reduction in their
numbers.
During the year, as a result of difficulties in obtaining the services
of a Rodent Operative, the treatment of infestations in a part of the
district was placed in the hands of a Contractor. This appears to be a most
satisfactory arrangement and statistics are being kept that will enable
comparisons to be made of the two methods that are now operating
within the district.
Pigeons
The services of the contractor engaged during 1964 to deal with feral
pigeons in the Borough were retained and, while the marked reduction
hoped for did not materialise, the number of birds was kept within
reasonable limits.
The main centres of infestation were the shopping centres and the
railway arches and it appears that while the public persist in feeding
pigeons these birds are likely to remain a problem. The fouling of gutters
and footpaths and the damage the birds cause to the fabric of buildings
appears to mean little or nothing to some members of the public whose
attitude towards any form of control is often hostile.
During the year one case of pigeon feeding created such appalling
conditions that it became necessary to serve a Notice to abate a nuisance
on the person concerned. The problem in this case was fortunately
resolved satisfactorily without an application being lodged to the
Magistrates for an Abatement Order, though action to this end was about
to be taken.