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and mice infestation at 61 premises. By the end of the year infestation
had been cleared at 190 of these premises.
Treatment of the foul sewers was carried out on two occasions, a
total of 902 visits being made for this purpose in connection with
inspection, baiting, poisoning and checking results. In all, 250 manholes
were dealt with and of this number 125 were found to be
infestated and were poison baited.
The method of extended pre-baiting, using a mould-inhibitor
(paranitrophenol), was continued for sewer treatments, allowing a
longer period for rats to establish a feeding habit in the sewer
manholes.
In May poison-baiting was carried out with zinc phosphide, and in
November an anti-coagulant, Warfarin, was used. The second sewer
treatment was concentrated upon specific areas in the Borough known
to have been persistently infested with rats.
During the year contracts were renewed with the Surrey County
Council for regular visits to be made to schools and institutions, and
other contracts were renewed with business premises in the Borough.
These agreements are of value in that periodical visits by trained staff
ensure that any evidence of rodent infestation is quickly noted and
treatment applied. Such prompt action prevents an infestation
becoming extensive, and indirectly lessens the risk of damage to goods
and stock carried in the premises.
SHOPS ACT, 1950.
There are 793 shops on the Department's Register and 71 inspections
were made during the year. This work completed the survey of
shop premises which was started at the end of 1955.
Advice is given, from time to time, on the employment of young
assistants, hours of closing, and other welfare provisions of the Act,
and in no instance was it necessary to resort to legal proceedings to
enforce these statutory requirements.
Rag flock and other filling materials
act, 1951.
This Act came into force on the 1st November, 1951 and briefly
Flock or other filling materials, as defined in Section 33 of the Act
(i e.: Kapok; Woollen felt; Cotton flock, etc.) are used, in the