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56
INCREASE OF RENT AND MORTGAGE INTEREST (RESTRICTIONS) ACTS
During 1937 nine applications for certificates under the above-named Acts as to the fitness of
the houses for habitation were received and issued.
In addition four applications that the work specified in a certificate had been carried out
were received from the owners of the premises and "Clearance Certificates" issued.
REMOVAL OF AGED, INFIRM AND PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED PERSONS
Under Section 224 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, the Council has power to apply
to a Magistrate for an order for the compulsory removal of aged, infirm or physically incapacitated
persons living under insanitary conditions, to a hospital or institution.
During the year, application was made for four orders and in three cases the application was
granted. In the fourth case the Magistrates were not satisfied that the aged person, an inmate of
an Almshouse, was incapable of receiving proper attention from her daughter, living elsewhere. In
addition, however, the Council's Woman Sanitary Inspector was able to persuade thirteen persons
to enter hospital voluntarily and she also kept thirty-three other cases under observation, but it
was not necessary to have them removed to hospital.
RAT REPRESSION AND DESTRUCTION
The Borough Council employs a Rat Officer who is a whole time employee of the Public
Health Department. He attends to complaints regarding rat and mice infestation in the Borough
and takes steps necessary for their destruction. He also traces the manner in which the rats have
gained entry to the premises and gives advice regarding the methods necessary to prevent a
recurrence of the trouble. In all cases the Rat Officer works in close co-operation with the sanitary
inspectors.
During the year 152 formal complaints regarding infestation by rats were received and 1,765
visits were made to dwelling houses and 583 visits to business premises in the Borough. In addition
677 visits to sewers in all parts of the Borough were made.
In 59.87 per cent. (91 instances) of the 152 complaints investigated, the rats gained admission
to the premises owing to defective drains. The type of drainage defect was:—
Defective drains under premises 39
Defective connections under footway 45
Disused drain connections 7
Rats were caught as follows during the year:—
In cage traps in sewers 168
In dustbin traps in sewers 329
By ferrets and break-back traps in premises 505
The amount received by the Council from property owners for the services of the Rat Officer
during the year ended 31st March, 1938, was £20 and, in addition, £15 was credited to the department
for the services of the Rat Officer to other departments of the Council.
NATIONAL RAT WEEK
During National Rat Week held from November 1st to 6th, the Rat Officer paid special
attention to the sewers in the Borough, and laid 18,000 baits in the stunt ends of 12-inch pipe sewers
which are known to harbour rats in 80 streets. While, of course, it is difficult to estimate the
number of rats destroyed as a result of this action, it is satisfactory to note that the majority of
the baits were taken.