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In addition, 365 houses were discovered to be verminous
under conditions where neither tenant nor owner could be shown
to be directly responsible. The rooms in these houses, numbering
575, were cleared of vermin by the Public Health Department.
Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919.
Approximately 300 complaints were received during the year
of premises being infested with rats. These complaints were
effectually dealt with in most cases by the Sanitary Inspectors,
having defective sewers, drains and sanitary fittings renewed
or repaired.
In 60 cases it was necessary to serve notices under the
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919, upon the owners or
occupiers.
Twenty-five premises were cleared under the agreement with
Messrs. Howard & Son, (Ratcatchers), under the supervision
of the Council's Sanitary Staff.
After a premises has been cleared of rats by ferrets, etc.,
the rat catcher fills in any openings with cement as necessary
and carries out any small repairs required to defective footings.
After dealing with each house he keeps it under observation
for one month to ascertain if there should be any re-invasion
by rats.
SANITARY INSPECTION.
Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
(a) Complaints of Nuisances.—During the year 1923 there
were 4,273 complaints of nuisances made to the Public Health
Department and investigated by the Sanitary Inspectors of the
Borough. Defects or nuisances were discovered in 3,427 of the
complaints. Notices for the remedy or abatement of these were
served upon the owner or person responsible under the above
Act.