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87
(iii) Food Supply
Slaughterhouses -
Dairies 2
Food premises 1,615
Bakehouses 59
Sampling 483
(iv) Infectious Disease - Visits 638
(v) Food Poisoning - Visits 15
(b) Notices
The number of notices served during the year totalled 2,836 of which
593 were statutory notices. The number of notices complied with in the same
period was 2718.
Complaints made to the Department with regard to sanitary circumstances,
disrepair, infestations, obstructed drains etc., totalled 2,638.
(c) Rodent Control
The number of complaints received in respect of rat and mice infestations
totalled 281, and 299 premises were inspected in detail. There were
no major infestations of rats, but war-damaged drains still continued to be
a source of concern to the Department, and numerous tests of drains were
carried out, the majority of these being in connection with rat infestationS.
The co-operation of owners is usually readily forthcoming in connection
with repair of damaged drains where rat infestations occur and the
Department carried out most of this repair work on behalf of the owners.
It was not necessary to serve any formal notices on owners or occupiers of
premises under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1951.
The Rodent Operative made 3,059 visits and it is estimated that l,099
rats were destroyed. Treatment of the main sewers continued to be carried
out under the direction of the Sewage Works Manager.
(d) Disinfection and Disinfestation
It was found necessary or desirable to disinfect rooms and their contents
at 401 premiseso In addition 1,500 library books were disinfected.
The use of the steam disinfector for disinfection of bedding was carried
out on 108 days of the year. There was only one instance where a Certificate
was presented to the Committee in respect of articles and premises
being in such a filthy condition as to render their destruction necessary.
Vermin (bugs) infestation of premises was slightly less than last years
133 premises against 142 were treated by the Department, but there is an increasing
demand on the services of the Department in helping to eradicate
other forms of infestation such as beetles, moths and flies. Help and advice
is readily given in these matters.
(e) Drainage
There was a slight decrease in the number of complaints received in
connection with choked or defective drains 648 against 689 in the previous
year and the Departments Drain Cleaner was able to remove obstructions In
most cases Examination tests by smoke, colour or water were carried out
in 226 instances and the Department continued to test all new. drainage in
connection with new houses built for the Corporation.
The services of the Drain Cleaner have been made available during weekends,
when it is surprising to note a number of cases where emergency calls
are made on Saturday afternoons or Sundays, upon attendance by the Drain
Cleaner revealed the fact that the drainage has in f act been choked for two
to three days.
(f) Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926
Eleven samples were taken under this Act during the year, and three
samples of fertilisers were found to be unsatisfactory. The Agricultural