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21
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The amount and importance of this branch of public
health work has greatly increased. There can be no doubt
that this is recognised by the Government because of the
enormous damage done to foodstuffs by these rodents and
more attention will undoubtedly be directed to the problem.
Although this district compared with many cannot be said
to be badly infested, nevertheless your Rat Officer finds his
time more than fully occupied dealing with the requests and
complaints which reach him. The far greater number of
householders keeping poultry and animals has undoubtedly
tended to increase the rat population in the district and to
produce greater problems than normally exist during peace
time. I feel the time is not far distant when further
assistance will have to be asked for.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Some mention should be made of a nuisance which
occurred at a certain factory and occupied a considerable
amount of time. It would perhaps be improper at the
present time to give details of the process which created
the smell, with rats and plagues of flies and crickets in
addition. Suffice to say that little could be done to avoid
some smell but strenuous efforts were made to minimize
the nuisance of the rats and insects. The work carried on
is one of national importance and towards the end of the
year had more or less ceased. Should war conditions
make it necessary for the process to be recommenced it is
hoped, with the experience gained in the past, that similar
conditions will not recur. The co-operation of the Government
Department concerned will do much to assist towards
this end but the very nature of the work makes it impossible
altogether to avoid some nuisance.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
Your obedient Servant,
HENRY TUNBRIDGE,
Chief Sanitary Inspector.