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24
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
In my Annual Report for 1947 I made passing reference
to the scheme inaugurated by the Ministry of Food whereby a
comprehensive survey was made throughout the Borough to discover
any premises that were rat infested and a free service of
rat destruction given to occupiers of private dwellings houses.
I then indicated that I would give a full statement of the operations
involved in this year's report. I have pleasure therefore, in
doing so now.
The scheme originated in May, 1946 by the issue of circular
N.S. 12 which due to certain difficulties, mainly owing to the
late issue of the circular, was not adopted. In March, 1947,
however, a further circular, N.S. 15 was received repeating the
terms previously made, which was adopted by the Council.
Very briefly the scheme can be summarised in the following
extract taken from the circular:—
"The Ministry is prepared to join with local authorities
in relieving occupiers of private dwellings of charges for the
work of destroying rats at such premises when carried out by
local authorities in the course of an approved systematic campaign
during the fiscal year 1946/47".
Certain conditions were imposed but it is unnecessary for
me to quote these in detail. Two however, should be mentioned
— (1) charges had to be made in the case of business premises
and (2) local authorities had to satisfy the Ministry that approved
action was being taken to deal with rats in sewers, sewage disposal
works, refuse dumps, destructors, etc under the control of
the local authority. Provided the conditions were complied
with the Ministry agreed to contribute 60% of the cost, the
local rate fund being responsible for 40%. This arrangement
was really an extension of a grant already in force and did not
disturb existing financial arrangements detailed in a previous
circular F/2 dated 29th April, 1944. I mention this in order to
correct the impression that the 60% grant was clear of all other
considerations.
Running concurrently with circular N.S. 15 (surface infestations)
was N.S. 11 (sewers). The basis of financial aid in regard
to sewers was 30% of the total overall costs of two approved
treatments against rats in sewers. Acceptance of N.S. 12 automatically
meant the acceptance of N.S. 11.
It became necessary, therefore, for me to prepare a scheme
at short notice whereby the whole district could be systematically