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27
Smoke Abatement.
Richmond being a residential district, contains no large works
or factories. There are a few small factories but these give little
trouble of smoke nuisance.
One complaint was made during the year; smoke observation
was taken and the complaint rectified at once.
Eradication of Bed Bugs.
This problem, which has assumed one of considerable
importance and magnitude since the crusade for better housing and
the abolition of the slums commenced in real earnest in 1933, has
received much attention during the year.
The only rational attitude that a Sanitary Authority can adopt
towards the problem of the bed bug is that of prevention, and it is
on these lines that the department has carried out routine measures
for cleansing and eradication purposes since 1911.
The number of houses reported to be in a verminous condition
and action taken during the year was as follows:—
Council Houses 48
Other houses 131
This number is considerably above that dealt with in previous
years on account of the re-housing of families during Slum
Clearance operations.
Disinfestation methods were applied in all properties where
a report was made that vermin had been located.
Methods employed for freeing infested houses from bugs.
There is no universal remedy for the eradication of infestation
because of the great adaptability of the bug to difficulties of
environment and breeding, also because its breeding places are so
often well protected and concealed.