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Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919.—89 complaints have
been received of the existence of rats affecting 209 premises. In
47 of these cases poison gas has been used, and in the remaining
cases other steps have been taken.
National Rat Week (November, 1936).—In accordance with the instructions
issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, special efforts were
made during National Rat Week, and I append herewith a summary of the
action taken:—
(i) Four sets of three special slides were provided, and these were put on
the screens at four Cinemas in the Borough at each performance
during the week.
In addition a special illustrated poster was exhibited in the vestibule
at four of the Cinemas in the Borough.
(ii) At three other Cinemas it was not possible to show the slides on the
screen. At one of these a special illustrated poster was placed in the
vestibule and 2 posters on the outside boards and at the other Cinemas
two posters were displayed on the outside Boards.
(iii) Printed placards were posted on the Public Notice Boards throughout
the Borough, and these placards were also sent out to suitable private
premises where considered necessary, viz., factories, farms, business
houses, Town Hall, and other buildings owned by the Borough Council.
(iv) Public notice was given in the newspapers circulating in the Borough.
(v) The property owned by the Corporation was carefully considered.
Where any rat infestation was found, or suspected, this was treated by
gassing.
(vi) Five thousand handbills were distributed throughout the Borough with
adult library books, by kind permission of the Chairman of the
Libraries Committee and the Borough Librarian.
The response to this extensive publicity is, as last year, somewhat
disappointing, only three complaints being received apparently as a direct result.
Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928.—The Senior Sanitary
Inspector made 429 visits to premises where petroleum is stored,
or in conjunction with the installation of such storage, and tested
20 petroleum appliances or fittings.
The number of Licences issued was 130, and the fees paid to
the Council for such Licences was £90 15s.
4 Licences were issued for the storage of calcium-carbide, the
fees payable being £1.