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The Department has continued to give every possible assistance
to owners and occupiers of rat-infested premises by tracing the
source from which rats have found their way into dwellings, usually
from defective or unsealed drains and sanitary fittings, by advising
on baiting and trapping methods, by keeping supplies of poison
and traps in the Department for sale to the public and by the
service of notices under the Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919,
when rat-proofing measures are necessary to prevent reinfestation
of premises.
In cases where it was necessary for the occupiers to have
assistance in ridding their houses of rats, for instance in factories
or food premises, the occupiers were referred to a firm of rat-catchers
with whom the Council has for many years had an arrangement.
The following is a summary of the measures taken during the
year to deal with rat infestation:—
(a) Number of premises from which complaints
of rat infestation were received 849
(b) Total number of premises in whidh evidence
of rats was found and appropriate action
taken 789
(c) Number of poison baits laid by the Public
Health Dept 4,104
(d) Number of premises at whidh other methods
were adopted 70
(e) Number of premises cleared of rats 748
Aged and Infirm Persons Living Under Insanitary Conditions.
•—Action was necessary during the year as regards five aged and
infirm persons who were living alone in neglected conditions as a
result of their inability properly to care for themselves or to receive
care and attention from other persons. In one case the person
concerned voluntarily entered hospital following visits by the district
Sanitary Inspector and Medical Officer of Health. In three cases
Magistrates' Orders were secured and the persons removed to
hospital. The fifth person died before the Sanitary Inspector was
able to secure entry to the home.
Common Lodging House.—There is now only one common
lodging house in the Borough, situated at 23 and 25, Well Street,
which provides accommodation for men only.
During the year extensive alterations to the premises were
carried out, including the reconstruction of dormitories to form
separate cubicles. This work reduced the number of beds from 174
to 139 and greatly improved conditions for the lodgers.
At the annual census of homeless persons carried out during
the night of 21st/22nd February, 1947, 126 men were found to be