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38
1,614 subsequent revisits. Gassing with HCN was carried
out on 63 occasions and other methods of destruction were
employed in 56 further cases. Seven houses were ratproofed,
46 sheds taken down or made rat-proof and 41
rubbish dumps which were harbouring rats were
removed.
Action during rat week followed the same line as in
previous years.
It is now becoming established that the only way
successfully to keep the rat menace under control is to
have an officer devoting the whole of his time to the work,
as the district sanitary inspectors, with all their other
duties, cannot devote the ncessary attention to this section
of health administration.
SPECIAL REPORTS.
With the exception of a number of additional reports
to various Committees only one report of a special nature
was submitted during the year. This dealt with the
question of disinfestation of the furniture of overcrowded
families prior to their removal to the new houses in
Potters Grove.
RENT AND MORTGAGE INTEREST RESTRICTIONS
ACTS.
Up to the year under review the administration of
these Acts had been carried out by the Public Health
Department. With the passing of the new Act of 1938,
I suggested that it would be a convenient time for these
duties to be transferred to the Town Clerk's Department
and this was agreed to. By the new Act the Rent and
Mortgage Interest Restrictions Acts are continued in
operation until 24th June, 1942, but a number of changes
in the law relating to rent control are made.
I have little of interest to report regarding the
administration of these Acts whilst under my control,
except that quite a lot of time was spent in interviewing
tenants and landlords seeking information on various
points.