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11. SWIMMING BATHS AND POOLS.
(a) Public. The Corporation baths are situate in Denmark
Road and comprise two pools, one of which was in use throughout
the year, whilst the other was used for swimming during the
summer months and during the winter season it was converted
for use as a hall for concerts, dances, balls, etc.
(b) Private. There are no privately owned swimming baths
or pools open to the public in the Borough.
12, ERADICATION OF BED BUGS.
During the year 13 premises were disinfested, compared
with 26 for the previous year. Five Corporation controlled
houses were dealt with by the Department during the year.
The continued diminution of the number of premises found to
be infested by the bed bug is a pleasing feature of the postwar
period.
The general improvement in sanitary conditions has
brought about a changed attitude on the part of occupiers.
No longer do they accept as inevitable the infestation of their
houses by such insects, Control measures have been greatly
improved by the production of D.D.T. and similar insecticides.
It is possible now to apply an invisible coating to wall
surfaces of lasting deposits of such material.
13. COMPLAINTS.
The number of complaints received during the year was
503 compared with 636 for the previous year. Since the peak
year of 1947 when the figure was 920, there has been a consistent
decline in the number of complaints recorded.
The following is a brief tabulated list of
causes for complaints received during 1952.
Sanitary Defects 171
Rodent Infestation 152
Defective Ashbins 7
Drainage and Sanitary Arrangements 89
Overcrowding 6
Food ( quality, soundness, etc.) 28
Smoke and Grit Emission 9
Miscellaneous 41
503
14. RODENT AMD INSECT PEST CONTROL.
It has not been found necessary during the year to take
legal action under the provisions of the Prevention of Damage
by Pests Act, 1949 •
To control rat and mouse infestation, very thorough
treatment and maintenance of regular inspection and supervision
is necessary. Invariably persistent infestations are found to
be due tc defective drains. Whilst the work of rodent control
in sewers has considerably restricted the extent of infestation,
drains and sewers are still a very common means by which the
rat gains access to the premises. During the year fifteen such
cases were revealed. There is also a possibility, particularly
in the case of business premises, of re-infestation during the
delivery of bulk merchandise®
This work is carried out in close co-operation with the
Rodent Control Section of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries, and the advice and assistance given by the Minister's
Officers and the Research Department at Tolworth is much
appreciated.