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Inspection of (a) Factories mechanical power 381
(b) Factories - non mechanical power 29
(c) Other premises 65
(d) Outworkers' premises 51
Defects remedied 12
At the end of the year the number of outworkers registered with the Department
was 219 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 33 rooms were treated, while 80 wasp nests were destroyed, 9 premises
cleared of cockroaches, 6 cleared of ants and 8 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. 8
Private machinery 1
Guests in Motel 1
Barking dogs 2
Motor cycles on waste ground 1
Compressors in street 2
General noise of occupants of houses 2
In most cases, investigation showed some justification for the complaint. With
the co-operation of the persons concerned the nuisances were remedied or reduced.
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.

Test baiting and where necessary treatment is carried out to sewers, watercourses
tips etc. Destruction of part of the rat population by chemical 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 resonably ventilated, heated
and lighted, and there should be suitable and sufficient sanitary and washing facilities
for the persons employed therein. In this connection 13 inspections were made during the
year. Notices were served following unsuitable sanitary facilities found in two shops.
No certificate of exemption re provision of sanitary accommodation was granted.
OFFICES SHOPS & RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963. In anticipation of the above Act
coming into force. 374 preliminary visits were made by the Inspectors to premises
covered by the Act
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