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53
(B) Notices
The number of notices served during the year total led 2.255 of which 748 were
statutory notices The number of notices complied within the same period was 1,625.
including 541 statutory notices Complaints made to the Department with regard to
sanitary circumstances,, disrepair infestations, obstructed drains etc. , totalled 2,498
(C) Rodent Control
The number of complaints received in respect of rat and mice infestation totalled
311, and 593 premises were inspected in detail The rodent operative made 2,102 visits.
The complaints were approximately the same as last year (322). Treatment of the sewers
continued to be carried out by the sewer gang and undoubtedly the continuance of this
practice materially reduces the rat population in the sewers as is indicated by the
fact that although practically all surface infestations are eventually traced to faulty
drains a major infestation is now a rare occurrence
(D) Disinfection and Disinfestation
550 premises were treated as appropriate in respect of infectious disease, bugs and
dirty premises and where circumstances warranted help was given by the department for
beetle infestation The steam disinfector was in operation on 90 days for disinfection
of clothing and bedding. Nearly 1,000 library books were disinfected before return to
the libraries from householdswhere infectious disease etc., had occurred. Similarly all
articles returned to the Health Department 'loan cupboard by ailing or disabled persons
were sterilised or disinfected
(E) Drainage
The number of complaints of choked or defective drains received during the year
totalled 629 This number approximates the previous year (632) which had shown a marked
increase The drain clearing service provided by the Corporation is much appreciated
by the public and serves the additional useful function of enabling us to trace defective
drains at an early stage Most of the repair work is carried out by the Corporation
contractors under the direction of the Inspectorate by agreement with the owners of the
properties concerned
(F) fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926
Twelve samples were taken during the year as follows
Bone Meal (2) Meat and Bone Meal
Sulphate of Potash(3) Bone Manure (2)
National Growmore Sulphate of Ammonia
Seemeel Layers Meal
No serious breach of the Act was discovered With the fall off in the number of allotments
being worked in the borough, there has been a consequent reduction in the amount of
fertilisers retailed and the number of shops serving them.
(G) Rag Flock and Other Filling Material Act, 1951
Seven samples were taken for analysis during the year as follows
Rag Flock (3)
Feathers (1)
Cotton Felt (1)
Algerian Fibre (1)
Coir Fibre (1)
One sample of Feathers failed to meet the requirements of the Act in respect of total
impurities Total impurities shown as a result of tests showed an average of 2. 2%, the
permitted maximum being 2.0% The vendor and manufacturer were cautioned.
There were seven premises on the register for use of specified materials,, at the end
of the year
(H) Pet Animals Act 1951
There were 19 premises on the register licensed to keep a pet shop Inspections of
the premises were carried out to ensure that the conditions of licence issued by the
Council were observed All complied with the Conditions of licence and no complaints wen
received
(I) Factories, Workplaces, Outworker
The number of factories, power and non power again shows a slight decrease from the
previous year (300-333. 42-46 This of course is a natural corollary of replanning of
the town and in some cases the use of erstwhile industrial sites and premises for housing
purposes