RATS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10284, 20 May 1919, Page 6

RATS

SOME OBSERVATIONS BY A LOCAL AUTHORITY.

Murphy, the rat-cutchor, had soma Interesting ogsorvations to -make to » "iN'ow Zealand Times" reporter this week. Kelative to the opinions advanced as to the best method of preventing rats coming ashore from ships visiting Wellington, Murphy considers there is only one solution, and that is for tho authorities concerned to appoint a man with a thorough knowledge of rata to place tr,aps in the holds of these vessels. These traps, if carefully supervised, should do the work more effectively than metal discs on hawsers or any other contrivance. Murphy considers that the discs are next to useless. The rats can' circumvent them with case and in any oase can make their way down the gangways and ropes trailing from the ship's side. One big shipping company has employed the local rat-catcher for some time past on this work of preventing tho landing of uudesirables from -visiting Bteamers under its control. in tho city Murphy continues to account for many rats weekly. In many of the largo city warehouses good hauls have been made. A few days ago Murphy put up a record at a local produce mart by catching and dispatching about 70 rats in something under a quarter of an hoar. Murphy holds a diploma from .the Liverpool Corporation to the effect that he is a "professor of rat-catching." Ho has spent many years in the London sewers ■battling; with hordes of rodents, so ho knows what he is talking about when he is on the rat question.