Destruction of Rats.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1921, Page 4

Destruction of Rats.

Tlio Minister (if Health lias issued the following circular to local bodies: Reports received regularly from the Medical Officers of Health indicate that the local authorities, generally speaking, are not .vet alive to the necessity for prosecuting a. vigorous anti-rat campaign. The very serious risk which New Zealand runs through its proximity to Australia, and the virulent nature of the present outbreak of plague in the latter country, arc sufficient excuse for mv again urging upon you increased activity in plague precautions. T desire your attention to the following matters:- . . I All closely settled communities, more especially ports and coastal towns, should employ export rat catchers and poisoners. The number of such officers to lie engaged will vary in proportion to the size of the town. 2. _The local authority should issue rat-poisons free. This measure is strongly recommended. Suitable formulae for poisons arc appended at the end of this circular. 3. The Council inspectors must exercise close and regular supervision over rubbish-tips, fowl-runs, food and produce stores, hotel and restaurant kitchens', and generally speaking, all premises where foodstuffs are prepared or stored. In all such premises ade-

quate poisoning ana trapping should he insisted upon, and every means should he adoped by proper storage of comestibles, etc., to protect foodstuffs from rafs. 4. Every individual householder should he required to keep his premises in such a state as not to harbour rats. For this purpose your Council should offer the fullest facilities by means of a special refuse service for the removal of all accumulations which would bo likely to feed or harbour rats. . 5. Householders should he required to obtain and use proper rat-proof receptacles for flic storage of refuse pending is removal, such, as, for instance, the ordinary metal bin with tight fitting lid. I regard this as a measure of urgent importance. r? T+ id Aufini nt/xH flint in 75 T)Cr

cent, of the eases of rat-invasion of ili, : o S and dwcllinglnmses in urban dis-.•i,-is the invasion is due to defective drains. Drains, therefore, should rend vo special attention, and infested drains should he made as rat-proof as possible. For this purpose drains and connections between premises and sewers should he properly trapped and in ■rood repair. 7. It is imperative that frequent inspections should ho made by the Council officers to ensure that the measures outlined above aro being adopted. There should he no delay in prosecuting owners nr occupiers of any premises who aro making default in complying with the requirements of your Council. Indeed, in view of the apathy displayed by Ihe general public as a whole, prosecutions may be expected to have a most wholesome and on on raging effect , ami I ain strongly iiT the view i hut tlm lime has gone by for cxliurtaj.i ns and advice, .and that your inspocI ,rs should everywhere bring negligent slmp-kccpers and householders before I lie (Vmrt.

S. Fuller the Health Art of las I year (see Section 27) any person kocpi■ \A 'oirbago or foodsl tills or an arriinmhitinii «»t rii!>l»isli or debris in such ;i. ••ay as u; oncourage ami limbour rats can lie prosecuted and lined.