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Rodents
In my annual report for last year I indicated the department's intention to use new methods
of treatment once they have been officially approved.
In so far as the public sewer treatments are concerned a new form of technique is now in
operation.
Hitherto sewer treatments have consisted of baiting with conventional poisons, viz., zinc
phosphide, alternated with arsenious oxide and antu, the baiting being done over a number of
days, the whole treatment taking place twice yearly. The present system, which takes place
four times a year, consists of direct poison baiting with sodium fluoroacetate. This is a highly
toxic substance and requires great care on the part of the operator. It has the advantage of one
visit only being made to each manhole and is therefore more economic in the use of labour.
The following is a summary of dwelling houses and business premises treated during 1959:-
(1) Dwelling houses 694
(2) Factory premises 32
(3) Shops 46
(4) School Canteens 67
(5) Miscellaneous 23
(6) Total charge for 2 - 5 above £122. 5s. 4d.
Factories
There is a wide variety of light industry in the Borough ranging both in size and in the
nature of their products. Regular visits are made to ensure compliance with those parts of the
Factories Acts which are enforced by the local authority and there is a frequent exchange of
information with the Factories Inspector which is of mutual assistance.
Tottenham's development in the past led to a scatter of industry in the residential areas
resulting in nuisances to residents of smoke, fumes or noise associated with industry. Steps are
taken wherever possible to eliminate or mitigate these nuisances but it is only by proper planning
that the problem can be solved satisfactorily; and action taken to locate factories in separate
industrial zones. As Tottenham is fully built-up the process will be inevitably slow.