“PLAGUE” OF RATS ALLEGED

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 14

“PLAGUE” OF RATS ALLEGED

ACTION BY BOROUGH COUNCIL SOUGHT

Concern at what was termed the “plague" of rats in Waimate was expressed in a letter received by the borough council from the Waimate Businessmen's Association which suggested that a “rodent week" he held The letter mentioned also the untidy state of Queen street on Sunday mornings and asked for street-cleaning in view of the unfavourable impression given to visitors to the town at weekends Cr. G. R. Watters said there was a real need for rubbish receptacles. Could receptacles be made in the council’s yard, he asked. When it was suggested that advertising space on the receptacles might meet the cost, the Mayor (Mr W. F. Boland) said a number of business people had paid for space on boards equipped with clocks, and were rathei chary of this type of advertising. The Businessmen's Association had taken an interest in provision of rubbish receptacles. Their inquiries had begun about 12 months ago. so there was apparently a difficulty about supply, said the town clerk '.Mr E S. Runciman). The council asked for a committee report for the next meeting. Meantime street cleaning on Sunday mornI ings is to be undertaken, provided . council employees are willing to do 1 the work. Plans for a campaign against rats : will be discussed with the health inspector on his forthcoming visit. The Mayor said he was aware that businessmen were doing their best to deal i with the menace. In one shop. 100 rats had been killed during the year Chinese Relations With Syria.— I Communist China has agreed to estabi Hsh dinlomatic relations with Syria, the Peking Radin announced tonight i A Chinese language broadcast said I that the Syrian Government had in- ' formed the Prime Minister. Mr Chou En-lai. in a telegram yesterday of its i recognition of Communist China.— i Hong Kong July 4.