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11
Verminous Houses—
Four houses were found to be verminous during the year.
These have all been treated with insecticide under the direction of this
department and it is hoped that the measures taken will prove to be of
lasting benefit.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
A considerable amount of time was devoted during the year to
the work of rat destruction. Efforts were continued to prevent the
increase of the rat population in the Council's sewage works and on
farms and other likely breeding places in the district. Several farms
were visited during threshing operations when some rats were
destroyed.
Methods of destruction are unchanged and bait is given free on
request together with a pamphlet setting out advice on the subject.
At the end of the year a campaign against rats was inaugurated
by the Council. The following steps were taken:—
(1) A reward of 2d. for each tail brought in was offered by the
Council.
(2) A slide was exhibited at the local cinema advertising
the above.
(3) Farmers, butchers, bakers, wardens' posts, schools and
various other places were notified of the campaign.
(4) Ratting was carried out at likely places in the district.
The campaign was moderately successful and 62 tails were
brought in, although of course this figure did not necessarily represent
the number of rats destroyed.
It is not generally understood that the responsibility for rat
destruction rests with the occupier of land under the Rats and Mice
Destruction Act, 1919, but the public generally appear to be taking
more interest in the work than formerly, and it is hoped that the
interest will continue.
Number of visits—206.
(iv) Smoke Abatement—No action taken.
4 Schools—
The sanitary conditions and water supply are satisfactory.