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be included in this Report, and therefore the subjoined statements only
relate to routine sanitary inspections and are generally exclusive of
the special and emergency duties.
Sanitary Circumstances.

(b) Notices.
The number of notices served during the year totalled 1758 of which
23 were statutory notices. The number or notices complied with in the
same period was 781.
(c) Rat Extermination.
During the year 2,527 visits were made to properties in the Borough
and 2,187 rats were destroyed. In one area of the Borough over 29.000
baits were laid in the sewers. Of these 4,679,or approximately 16% were
taken.
In consequence of the initial baiting, treatment was continued of
certain sewer manholes. Unfortunately the problem of labour precluded
any extension of this work.
As has been recorded in previous reports the presence of these
vermin upon private properties has generally been taken as an index of
drainage defects, and our attention has been devoted to an investigation
of these defects and the supervision of repairs when necessary.
Housing.
(a) Overcrowding.
In the succeeding housing statistical tables the statistics previously
submitted in respect of overcrowding have been omitted. These
statistics became almost valueless in the light of changing circumstances
of war. During the year succeeding that under review it is hoped that
information will be collated on the overcrowding position.
There was abundant evidence during the year under review that
families were returning to the repaired housing accommodation, but
there was also evidence accumulating of an increase in dual occupation
of houses. This however was difficult to assess in the aggregate and
nothing short of a complete survey will reveal its extent.
With the assistance however of the Civil Defence Wardens' Service
and the household census maintained by that Service, it is hoped to
obtain in 1943 some general picture of the overcrowding position. It Is
obvious, however,that whatever the position revealed by such a general
examination of statistics available, the position can only be regarded
as an Index of the trend of the housing situation and is no reflex of
the ultimate position when absent members of families return.
36.