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99
During the year mice were particularly troublesome in many parts
of the Borough. This problem (common throughout the London area)
was referred to in the Annual Report for 1972 and unfortunately it has
not to date been resolved.
Pigeons
Work in connection with the control of the feral pigeons continued
throughout the year and the number of birds was kept down to within
reasonable limits. The clearance of the feral pigeons from town centres
and indeed from residential areas could be achieved if only members of
the public would refrain from feeding them. There are flocks that congregate
almost to a regular timetable knowing that food will be available
and while this feeding continues limitation of numbers is all that can be
hoped for.
The number of birds taken during the year was 1,545.
Squirrels
Many complaints were received about squirrels being a nuisance and
causing damage to trees and garden plants and to property. Squirrels in
roof spaces can be particularly destructive creatures.
A service for the destruction of these pests is not provided by the
Local Authority, but advice is tendered on methods of control and traps
are loaned to individuals. These, if properly baited, are very effective. As
a result of their use dozens of these creatures were destroyed.
Wasps
The number of nests destroyed during the year was 374. This was 70
fewer than during 1972. The number dealt with during the wasp season
is generally of the order of 450.
FOOD AND DRUGS
The work in this field falls into two main parts: (1) the investigation
of complaints and (2) the sampling of food stuffs and other commodities.
The investigation of complaints and the organisation of the sampling
programme was undertaken by a Senior Inspector, Mr. F. W. Fowler.
On the 1st April, 1973 the Council appointed Mr. J. H. Shelton,
F.R.I.C., as joint Public Analyst with Mr. E. Voelcker, A.R.C.S. M.Chem.
A., F.R.I.C. Samples of food for chemical analysis were submitted to the
Public Analysts, while samples of fertilizers and feeding stuffs were sent
to Mr. E. Voelcker, the Council's Agricultural Analyst. The practice of
examining milk and other dairy products within the Department continued
while the bacteriological examination of food was carried out by the
Public Health laboratories at Central Middlesex Hospital and at Colindale.
The coming into force during the year of the Labelling of Food
Regulations 1970 required detailed attention being given to the size,
position and contents of the words appearing on labels affixed to prepacked
foods and to the description applied to foods sold other than