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57
A circular letter pointing out the need for the destruction of rats and giving advice concerning
this, was circulated to all factories and large workshops in the Borough with a request that it should
be displayed on the staff notice boards. A copy was sent to the two newspapers circulating in the
Borough and advertisements also inserted.
A number of posters from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries were purchased and
exhibited on the Council's vehicles and outside public buildings during the week. The Railway
Companies and firms having premises in the railway goods yards, co-operated with the Department
in an intensive drive against rat infestation.
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There was one Common Lodging House in the Borough, accommodating 36 men, and the
inspector made 4 inspections of the premises during the year.
MORTUARY
The Mortuary provides cold chambers for the accommodation of eight bodies, two in each
compartment. One compartment is entirely isolated from the general body of the chamber, so
that two bodies of infectious cases can be accommodated separately. There is also a post-mortem
room with modern equipment.
During the year 236 bodies were removed to the Mortuary and were admitted as follows:—
By order of the Coroner 142
For convenience till funeral 94
236
There were 95 post-mortems made and inquests were held in 68 cases.
NUISANCE FROM PIGEONS
Under Section 121 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, the Council has power to abate
or mitigate any nuisance caused by pigeons having no owner, subject to the consent of the owner
of the land or buildings upon which the birds congregate.
During the year special traps were set up on the roofs of three private houses, a Church and
the Town Hall. As a result of this action 330 pigeons were caught and killed, the Rat Officer (who
carries out this work) paying 353 visits for the purpose. At each visit all eggs and nests found
were destroyed.
SHOPS ACT, 1934
During the year, the sanitary inspectors made 73 inspections of shops under the abovenamed
Act in connection with ventilation, temperature and sanitary conveniences. In 2 cases
water closet and washing accommodation was provided as the result of action by the inspectors.