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Inspection of (a) Factories - mechanical power 278
(b) Factories - non-mechanical power 11
(c) Other premises 18
(d) Outworkers' premises 47
Defects remedied 8
At the end of the year the number of outworkers registered with the
Department was 196 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 42 rooms were treated, while 99 wasp nests
were destroyed, 7 premises cleared of cockroaches, 6 cleared of ants and 4 of
other insects. Treatment of ponds and tanks to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes
was carried out as necessary.
NOISE NUISANCE. The sources of noises which were the subject of complaint
to the Department during the year were :-
Motel 1
Private houses 2
Factories and industrial premises 6
Cafe 1
Bowling centre 2
Bridge construction 1
Barking dog 1
Motor cycles on waste Land 1
Laundry premises 1
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.
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,
water-courses, 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.
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