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(b) Private.
There are no privately owned swimming baths
or pools open to the public, in the Borough.
(viii ) ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
During the year it was necessary to take action
in respect of 39 premises. In each case the premises were
subjected to disinfestation processes appropriate to the
circumstances.
4. SCHOOLS.
Information with regard to the sanitary condition
of schools is given in the report of the School Medical
Officer.
The recommendations for the prevention of the
spread of infectious disease contained in the memorandum on
closure of and exclusion from school, 1927, have been
closely followed. It was not necessary to close any school
owing to infectious disease, or on public health grounds
during the period under review.
5. COMPLAINTS.
During the year 532 complaints were recorded compared
with the figure of 443 for the previous year. As
stated in last year's report, the figure recorded is
probably less than the actual number received.
The number of complaints is rising steadily each
year from the 1939 figure of 207. The increase this year
is no doubt due to the fact that little housing repair and
maintenance has been possible for the last five years, and
the understandable desire of tenants to have their dwellings
put into order again now the war is ended.
The following is a brief tabular statement of
the various causes of complaint
Drainage 89
General Defects of houses 220
Pood 65
Insect Infestation 23
Rodent Infestation 103
Miscellaneous 32
532
6. RODENT CONTROL.
In previous Reports reference has been made to
a marked increase in public concern in this subject compared
with the pre-war period. This welcome interest was
maintained during 1945. There is little doubt that wartime
conditions, such as the need for home food production,
enemy action, resulting in damage to drainage systems,and
destruction of property, has seriously encouraged rodent
infestations. The need for continuous effort cannot be
over-emphasized.