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accommodation as a result of County Court Orders, usually on
account of the owner requiring the house for his own occupation and
proving greater hardship. These cases, however, became so
numerous, that eventually nothing more than temporary "half-way
house" accommodation could be offered; and this quickly filled up,
leaving a considerable number of families left to their own devices
to find shelter wherever they could—generally with a sympathetic
friend or relative.
Disinfestation in connection with Housing.
The policy of the Corporation to arrange for the disinfestation
treatment of household articles before removal to new premises, has
been maintained. In the early part of the year this work was
carried out by a private firm of fumigators, using hydrocyanic acid
gas, at a local hall requisitioned by the Council for the purpose of
storing furniture belonging to families rendered homeless during the
war. The complete household goods and furniture were collected
by the Council's vans and deposited in an air-tight room at the hall
for fumigation the same day, several "lots" being treated at one
operation. Delivery to the new house was arranged the following
day, together with beds and bedding which had previously been
disinfected in the steam disinfector at the Council's Cleansing
Station.
This procedure proved satisfactory, but eventually the hall in
question was de-requisitioned and other arrangements had to be
made. Accordingly an agreement was reached with the Hackney
Borough Council for the disinfestation treatment to be carried out
in the cyanide chamber at the disinfesting station in their Borough,
the Tottenham Council providing the necessary transport, and this
arrangement continues. It would be, however, more convenient if
these facilities were available within the borough, and it is the
Council's intention to provide a Cleansing Station adequate for this
purpose as soon as circumstances permit.
Disinfestation of dwelling-houses is carried out by the use of
D.D.T., and the results justify the hopes expressed in last years
annual report.
Rodent Control.
Considerable advance in rodent control was accomplished during
the year by the implementation of Ministry of Food Circular N. S. 12,
dealing with a special scheme for the treatment of private dwellings.