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96
Rat Destruction.
The Borough Council employ a Rat Officer who is
a whole time employee of the Public Health Department.
He attends to complaints regarding rat infestation in the
Borough and takes steps necessary for their destruction.
He also traces the source of the rats and gives advice
regarding the methods necessary to prevent a recurrence
of the infestation.
One hundred and ninety-four formal complaints
regarding infestation by rats were received during the
year and 187 premises (including some reported during
the previous year) were entirely cleared by the 31st
December.
Poison baits were laid in the following positions:
Private houses 260
Other premises 92
Sewers 1,143
The special dustbin traps in the sewers have
accounted for the death of 337 rats during the year and
break-back traps and ferrets have accounted for 656
rats.
It was found that in 63 or 32.5 per cent. of the new
complaints the infestation was due to defective drains.
In all these cases the necessary repairs and relaying of
the drains have been carried out.
The amount received by the Council from property
owners for the services of the Rat Officer was, during
the year ended 31st March, 1933, £31:13:6, and in
addition £5 was credited to the Department for the
services of the Rat Officer to other Departments of the
Council.
During Rat Week in November an intensive effort
was made to exterminate rats in sewers and on lands
and buildings known to be infested.