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Destruction of Rats.—As the damage caused by rats
in very many premises in the borough, and especially in
the wharves and warehouses on the river front was of a
serious nature, and the steps hitherto taken by the
Council to check the nuisance had been ineffective, the
Council resolved, in February, 1920, to appoint a special
Rat Officer for the purpose of inspecting premises and
destroying the rats when found.
After consultation with the officials of the Board
of Agriculture, Mr. J. Harvey was engaged for this work
at a salary of £5 a week, in the first place, for a period
of one month, and thereafter from week to week as
necessary. The services of the Rat Officer were retained
throughout the year and a large number of factories,
shops, warehouses, private houses and open spaces, were
inspected by him, of which 280, found to be infested
with rats, were dealt with.
Many letters of appreciation of this work of the Council
were received from occupiers of infested premises, and
the Ministry of Agriculture informed the Council that
their Technical Officer had visited a number of premises
in the south of the borough and reported that the efforts
of the officer appointed by the Council, under the Rats
and Mice Act, appeared to have been successful in effecting
a clearance in these premises, and the Ministry were
glad to notice that a very useful work had been accomplished
in Fulham during the last six months in connection
with the destruction of rats and mice.
Poisoned baits were also laid in some of the Council's
sewers, and a large number of dead rats were found,
and this work is still proceeding.
The sum of £85 has been paid to the Council by
occupiers of infested premises, for the services of the Rat
Officer.