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27
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
For the first three months of the year we were without
a senior officer for this work, Mr. Prichard commencing duty
on the 1st April. He immediately impressed me with his
knowledge and energy, and I am glad to say that as time
went on his ability became established and rapid leeway was
made in outstanding arrears. More and more importance is
given to this branch of Public Health activities and the haphazard
methods of the past are giving way to scientific and
methodical means in dealing with these destructive vermin.
It is quite obvious that to deal with individual infestations
without going thoroughly into the reasons, often results in
re-invasion and the only effective way of ensuring success is
to deal with the whole area in which the complaint has arisen,
finding out and dealing with any other premises affected.
This is termed " Block Control." Adopting a much broader
outlook, if the whole of the Borough can be systematically
dealt with in like manner within a certain given time, the
destruction of rats will be far greater than the number that
can be produced by their prolific breeding propensities and
some lasting and visible results can be achieved.
It was undoubtedly with this in mind that the Ministry of
Food prepared a scheme set out in Circulars N.S. 11 and 12.
Unfortunately the Circulars were not received until some time
after the commencement of the financial year and for this and
other reasons it was not adopted for the time being. I should
like, however, to make a special reference to one part of the
district in which the scheme was put into operation in a
modified form.
The area was taken as a whole and each householder was
invited to co-operate by letting me know if any rats existed
on their premises. In return I offered to do all necessary rat
destruction during a specified period for a fee of two shillings.
Some 450 householders were circularised and in 49 instances
the replies indicated infestation to some degree or other.
Consequent surveys found infestations at 46 further premises.