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In addition to the cleansing of verminous rooms or premises
by owners and tenants after service of notice by the Sanitary
Inspectors, 658 rooms were discovered to be verminous where
neither tenant nor owner could be shown to be directly responsible.
These rooms were cleansed of vermin by the staff
of the Public Health Department.
Rats and Mice Destruction Act, 1919.
Approximately 320 complaints were received during the year
of premises being infested with rats. These complaints were
effectually dealt with in most cases by the repair or reconstruction
of defective sewers, drains and sanitary fittings, under the
supervision of the Sanitary Inspectors.
In 54 cases it was necessary to serve notices under the
Act upon the occupiers of the land or premises.
Nine premises were cleared under the agreement with
Messrs. Howard & Son, (Ratcatchers), under the supervision of
the Council's Sanitary Staff.
In 142 cases poison baits have been provided and laid down
under the supervision of the Sanitary Inspectors. By this means
120 premises have been effectively cleared of rats and 22 premises
were under observation and treatment at the end of the year.
This method has proved to be very successful and has resulted
in the extermination of a very large number of rats without any
complaints of smells after the rats have been poisoned.
SANITARY INSPECTION.
Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
(a) Complaints of Nuisances.—During the year 1924 there
were 4,748 complaints of nuisances made to the Public Health
Department and investigated by the Sanitary Inspectors of the
Borough. Defects or nuisances were discovered in 3,802 of the
complaints. Notices for the remedy or abatement of these were
served upon the owner or person responsible under the above
Act.