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RATS AMD MICE DESTRUCTION
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries continued
its grant-aid of 50 per cent of the irrecoverable expenditure
incurred by the Council in carrying out its functions under
the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949.
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.
42 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.
Whilst it is the duty of occupiers of houses to keep j
their premises free from rats and mice, 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.
This decision has considerably facilitated the work
at private houses as treatment is able to proceed almost
immediately an infestation is found.
37
The figures which follow indicate the extent of the
work carried out during the year, and suggest that we
are continuing to keep the rodent population to a low
level.