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RATS AND 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.
46 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
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.
The figures which follow indicate the extent of the
work carried out during the year. It seems that the rodent
population is being kept down to as low a level as is likely
to be achieved until new techniques are evolved and perhaps
new poisons introduced.
39.