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At the end of the year the number of outworkers registered with the Department
was 245 and the trades on which they were engaged are shown in Table IX.
DISINFESTATION, The Health Department deals with bug and other infestations in
houses and other premises, and for this purpose D.D.T. and other insecticides are used.
During the year, 62 rooms were treated, while 33 wasp nests were destroyed, 8 premises
cleared of cockroaches, 6 cleared of ants and 15 of other insects. Treatment of ponds
and tanks to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes was carried out as necessary.
It is pleasing to record that in the Borough bug-infestations have become a
rarity, and activity in this sphere is now concerned more with the extermination of
other insects.
NOISE NUISANCE. The sources of noises which were the subject of complaint to
the Department during the year were:-
Factories, industrial premises, etc. 12
Private machinery 2
Brivate wireless sets 2
Loudspeaker 2
Barking dog 1
Shops 1
Wood sawing in street 1
General noise of occupants of houses 4
In all cases, investigation showed some justification for the complaint. With
the co-operation of the persons concerned the nuisance was remedied or abated except
in one case where the remedy had to await the cessation of the work.
RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION ETC. The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act. 1949
places the responsibility on the Council to keep their area as far as practicable
free from rats and mice' and occupiers of premises are required to give notice when
they have knowledge that rats and mice are present in substantial numbers. It is
obligatory on the Council to recover the expenses reasonably incurred in taking steps
for the destruction of rats and mice on business premises, but permissive as far as
the cost of treating private dwellings is concerned. The Council has decided to make
no charge for the treatment of private dwelling-houses unless there is failure on the
part of the owner or occupier to co-operate in preventing infestation.
The Council employs a Rodent Officer who is responsible for systematic inspection,
planning of treatment, supervising the work of the rodent operatives and checking
results.

Test baiting and. where necessary, treatment is carried out to sewers, watercourses,
tips, etc. Destruction of part of the rat population by chenftcal or other
poisoning may increase the food supply and improve the chances of survival of the
remainder. Eradication requires environmental conditions which hinder survival,
i.e., no food and no shelter and occupiers of premises should bear this in mind.
SHOPS ACT 1950, SECTION 38. Shops require to be reasonably ventilated, heated
and lighted, and there should be suitable and sufficient sanitary and washing
facilities for the persons employed therin. In this connection 4 inspections were
nade during the year.
No certificate of exemption re provision of sanitary accommodation was granted.
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