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was very poor indeed, only a few people attending each lecture.
Those who did attend heard a very interesting' discourse on food
and drink infections, but it would appear that it was a case of
preaching to the converted." As in many other trades, the
personnel engaged in food distribution are insufficiently educated
as to the consequences of lax standards. It would appear from our
experience in this realm of publicity that the best results are to be
obtained by individual approach to the workers at their places ol
employment.
WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply of the area has been satisfactory, both in
quality and quantity. The few complaints that were received were
found to be due to conditions of storage and distribution on the
occupiers' premises, and appropriate action was taken to have
these conditions remedied.
Water is supplied by the Metropolitan Water Board ; a piped
supply is provided to every house in the district, and control samples
are taken regularly and frequently by the Board's officers.
RODENT CONTROL.
Apart from one major infestation at the Kew Meadows Path
Piggeries and Refuse Destructor, no great difficulty was experienced
in dealing with rat infestation during 1948.
It is satisfactory to note that the degree of infestation in the
sewers, although not serious to start with, is now very slight, and
routine maintenance treatments at six-monthly intervals are all
that is necessary.
The majority of infestations on private property were small
ones, involving chicken-houses, etc., and were usually disposed of
in one treatment. The treatments on private property have been
carried out free of charge, and a grant of 50 per cent. towards the
cost of rodent control measures has been made by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries.
A few infestations involving business premises were satisfactorily
dealt with and the costs recovered.