RATS-HOW TO COPE WITH THEM?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1141, 31 May 1911, Page 7

RATS-HOW TO COPE WITH THEM?

* : ' MR MORTON REPORTS. The following report by the City Engineer (Mr. W. H.. Morton) has been laid before the Heialth Committee of the City Council:— : "As' requested, I noted the bulletins regarding bubonic plague in Auckland. It may be that I am deeired to state whether any precautionary measures should be taken in this city. "I am of opinion that Wellington, as regards cleanliness, is in a more satisfactory condition than has ever been the case previously. This is due to more thorough cleansing on the part of the municipality, and to the regular removal of house refuse. '"There is no doubt that many parts if. the city are over-run with rats in most undesirable numbers. ■ Evidence of this is frequently forthcoming in connection with repair*- required totootway flagging, more particularly in, front of butcher s shops of wood "construction. ' "There is no doubt that steps should be laien to rid the city to a reasonable extent of the rodents, but I consider that euch work should be done in a regular way, and not spasmodically whenever the possibility of an outbreak of bubonic plague arises. • . "Getting rid of the rats is a somewhat troublesome problem, inasmuch as some are generally to be found on private property. The simplest way appears to me to bo undoubtedly that of offering a re-, ward for each rat obtained and taken to the destructor. ' "The regular and proper cleansing of backyards should be insisted upon. Accumulations of dirt, paper, and rubbish of every description should not be permitted on account of the facilities presented by such material for harbouring rats. There are several vacant sections in the city, as Mil as certain backyards, that, although they could not be said to bo in au u'nfinnitary condition, are yet in such a state as to come under the above category In addition, any high wind lifts a considerable portion of the papers referred to and deposits them on the public streets causing the appearance of general untidiness, besides obstructing drains il' 1 *w r t\, h< " raver - to st ?te emphatically that these measures should not as above stated, be taken spasmodically but regularly and consistently during th°