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RATS AND MICE DESTRUCTION.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries continued its
grant-aid of 50 per cent of the irrecoverable expenditure
incurred by the Council in carrying out its functions.
Grant aid is not available in respect of expenditure
incurred on treatment at commercial and industrial premises,
and the full cost of the work has therefore to be recovered
from the occupiers or, in certain circumstances, the owners.
Forty-seven business or industrial premises, schools etc.,
were treated by the Council's staff on payment of the cost
involved by the occupiers or owners concerned.
It is the duty of occupiers of houses to keep their
premises free from rats and mice, but the Council continued to
carry out treatment of infestations at private dwellings
without charge provided the occupiers took such steps as
might from time to time be necessary and reasonably
practicable for preventing their premises from becoming
infested with rats and mice.
This decision has considerably facilitated work at
private houses. Under the charging scheme there were constant
disputes as to liability and one 'difficult' occupier
frequently held up treatment on a block of property for
long periods. Now, immediately an infestation is found,
treatment is able to proceed.
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The figures which follow indicate the extent of the
work carried out during the year.