View report page

37
SMOKE ABATEMENT.
Throughout the year constant attention has been
directed to this problem. Whilst it is true that few factories
exist in the area trouble has been experienced,
particularly in two instances.
At one factory, however, I am very gratified to state
that the nuisance appears to have been abated. In this
case serious trouble had extended over a number of years
causing endless complaints. The problem, emission of
damped particles of clay dust from a brick making plant,
was of a peculiar nature, and appeared well nigh insoluble.
The Engineer at the works, however, persevered
in his efforts and at last devised a means, which, if kept
and maintained in good working order, has provided a
remedy.
At the second factory the trouble is grit emission
from a boiler chimney and, in an endeavour to discover
the cause and thereby to provide a remedy the Council
decided to engage an expert—Dr. R. Lessing, Queen
Anne's Gate— and his investigations were proceeding at
the end of the year.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The year under review has seen much good work
accomplished in the destruction of rats and the removal
of conditions conducive to infestation. The whole time
rat officer who was appointed during 1937, acts under my
supervision and is employed in investigating complaints
and advising as to the best methods of ridding premises
of these vermin and preventing re-infestation. He also
carries out actual rat destruction for which householders
pay a small fee. Much of his success is achieved by
obtaining the co-operation of as many householders as
possible in the vicinity of where trouble occurs. The time
spent in doing this is amply rewarded as combined action
is a vital necessity if a successful attack is to be made.
One hundred and sixty-nine complaints were investigated
and these entailed 608 primary visits together with