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Rodent Control
The work in connection with the destruction of rats and mice has
continued, the Council still employing one full-time operative.
From the figures given below it will be noted that the number of
complaints received has risen from 324 in 1954 to 410 in 1955, an
increase of close on 30 per cent. Visits increased from 799 to 860,
whilst inspections made by sanitary inspectors increased from 144 in
1954 to 217 in 1955; a 50 per cent increase.
Comment was made on the slight increase in the complaints received
in 1954; unfortunately a greater increase is noted for 1955,j
from which one can safely conclude that the rodent population has
still to be considered a menace.
Again if one studies the figures from 1947 onwards it is noted that
the number of complaints has been creeping up steadily.
The increase in the number of visits by the sanitary inspectors
confirms that the fight against rats and mice is still something to
reckon with and a fight which must not be relaxed by Local Authorities.
Good relationship still exists between the Officers of the Local
Authority and Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,
and the meetings of the Workable Area Committee held three times
per year still give scope for useful discussion.
The number of complaints received in the past is as follows:
1947 139 1948 210 1949 287
1950 284 1951 290 1952 330
1953 316 1954 324 1955 410
Appreciation should be recorded of the co-operation given by the
Borough Engineer and Surveyor and his Department in providing
the necessary gang for the work on sewer treatment.
A quick review of the results of the treatment for 1955 shows an
improvement on the years 1953 and 1954 which should indicate a
lower rat population in the sewers.
The usual detailed charts are given on the following pages.
Surface Treatment:
The following table shows the result of the year's work.
Number of inspections made by the Sanitary Inspectors 217
Complaints received 410
Retreatments —
Revisits to premises 343
Visits to adjacent premises 117
Total premises visited 860
Number of baiting points 3555
Rats found dead 78
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