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were received of the presence of rats. The Council's rodent
operator made some 4,149 visits in consequence of these
complaints and it is estimated that 1,883 rats were destroyed.
The Council's policy of providing a "free" service to
occupiers of infested private dwellinghouses and maintenance
treatment of the sewers was continued and authorised by
the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Costs of rodent
control work were recovered from business premises only.
(d) Disinfection and Disinfestation.—Disinfection of premises
and articles after infectious disease was carried out in 294
premises and 490 library books were disinfected. Methods
employed were in accordance with modern practice and
where necessary included steam disinfection.
Disinfestation of 91 verminous premises was effected
by the use of D.D.T. insecticides in the form of smoke or
spray.
Infestation of woodworm with or without dry rot in
wooden floors and furniture would appear to be on the
increase. Remedial measures have been prescribed with,
in most instances, successful results.
(e) Legal Proceedings.—It was necessary to institute legal
proceedings as under:—
Public Health Act, 1936—Section 94 44
„ „ „ Section 154 1
Food and Drugs Act, 1938—Section 3 1
(f) Drainage.—547 complaints of choked and defective drains
were received. In most cases it was possible for the
Council's drain cleaner to remove the obstruction. In
addition, repairs or renewals to " public sewers" and
drains were carried out in respect of 499 premises, either at
the request of the owners or in consequence of statutory
action under the Public Health Act, 1936. The costs of
these repairs or renewals were recoverable from the owners
of the properties concerned. In connection with rodent
control 465 drain tests and examinations were made.
Co-operation with the Housing Department has
continued with the examination and testing of drains both
for rebuilt war damaged houses and the Council's new
housing estates.