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NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948.
One burial was effected in accordance with
Section 50 of the Act where it appeared that no suitable
Arrangements for the disposal of the "body were "being made
otherwise than by the Council.
It was not necessary to make use of the powers of
Section 47 for compulsory removal to suitable premises of
sick or aged persons in need of care and attention.
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
During the year 75 bodies were received into the
mortuary for post-mortem examination.
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 properties
and the full cost of the work has therefore to be recovered
from the occupiers of such premises or, in certain circumstances,
the owners.
40 busir;ess 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 assist occupiers of private dwellings to carry out
treatment without charge.
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.
48