DAMAGE DONE BY RATS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 1 July 1932, Page 8

DAMAGE DONE BY RATS

A PERSISTENT PEST CHRISTCHURCH BETTER OFF J THAN SEAPORTS I People whose business takes them through the town in the dead of l. ght have expressed the opinion that Ch. istchurcli is the unwilling host of a g. iwing number of unwelcome guests ir the shape of rats (says the “Times”). They say tliat there are far more rats roaming the deserted streets than in years I gone by. Investigation, however, suggests another theory to account for the undisputed fact that more rate are to be seen about the streets. Years ago, long before the days of steel construction, buildings afforded protection for swarms of rats, who hid j in their lairs until* the staff left after I the day’s work, when high revels would begin. * Modern architects have not made any provision for the rat, who finds that the buildings of to-day afford him little protection. They are lacking all those features which rats require in their homes. There is in) wooden wainscot to be gnawed through for protection and the housing problem for the rat has become acute. The result has been that the rat has been forced to move with the times. Finding all the satisfactory buildings overcrowded, many of the animals have been forced on to the streets and live under the bridges which span the gutters near the riverbank. It is not that the numbers of rats have increased but that the rat himself is more conspicuous. i

LANDING FROM SHIPS Men who have been in business in seaport towns consider that Christchurch is particularly fortunate in regard to rats. Overseas shipping is a constant source of supply and that is one feature which Christchurch can afford to ignore for the number of rats taking the train from Lyttelton after landing from ships is almost negligible. Auckland, for instance, affords shelter for thousands of rats. Many of them live in the rockeries of Albert Park and invade the main street at night. The Vicar of St. Paul’s Church in Auckland, had to store his candles . in a metal-lined box as there is noth- 1 ing a rat appreciates more than a good | helping of candle for lunch. Few 1 churches in Christchurch are troubled by rats. No protection is required at the Anglican Cathedral for candles and the verger has never seen a rat in the: building. ‘ Auckland has a municipal ratcatcher, but it has never been considered necessary to appoint such a dignitary in Christchurch, although the j matter was mooted in 1919, when the number of rats in the city was at its peak. At that time, the problem was serious»and many schemes were considered. It was even proposed that unemployed boys even in those' days, should be paid a bonus on the number of heads they brought in. This however, was finally rejected as a canny member of the City Council pointed out the danger of commercially-minded boys bringing in the heads of rats that did not really belong to the city area at all. THE 1919 CAMPAIGN It was then decided to exhort busi-nessmen'-and private citizens to hold their own private rat drives. The campaign 'met with considerable success, and the number of rats in Christchurch has, so it is asserted, never since been near the hordes of 1919. Rats inhabiting city warehouses and stores now are regarded as an inevitable evil. The owner of the premises wages desultory warfare with the pest, ; and many owners of businesses even allow for damage by rats each year. The trouble lias its brighter side. , Young clerks and apprentices are sometimes given managerial approval i ■ for a rat hunt on a large scale, and 1 such excitement provides welcome diversion from the tedium of everyday duties. There are businessmen, who, drawn into a discussion on rats, will even take a pride in the size and ingenuity of their own particular rats, and exchange stories with others simi-

larly troubled almost as eagerly as anglers or golfers. A prominent clothing manufacturer said this week that he thought his rats were the toughest in town. He based his opinion largely on their diet. The rats in his factory banqueted frequently on bone buttons, with a few trouser cuffs and a piece of wrapping paper for variety. The only thing they did not seem keen about was the tempting bait which he left for them in traps. He was of opinion that cats were the only really efficient rat-catch-ers, but pointed out that the presence of cats was not always desirable, as in his own business.

The City Council supplies rat poison through its sanitary department, and many people take advantage of this. The council gets through twenty dozen packets of a New Zealand-made poison in three months, the applicants being mainly greengrocers, fishmongers and butchers. There was for many years on view in the council offices a remarkable example of the voracity of rats. Tiie vermin had gnawed right through a piece of lead piping to reach the fatty scum from the waste. A STAFF OF CATS City grain stores and wool stores are usually well staffed with eats, who are induced by regular rations to take up permanent residence, and in some stores the descendants of cats that came there many generations ago, still guard the same buildings. There are a few Government departments which number cats on their permanent strength also. The Parcels Office in Hereford Street, had a champion rat-catcher known as “Hector,” and his laurels from the chase are still green, although it is some time since lie went the way of all cats.

With departmental thoroughness and attention to detail, a special allowance is made each year in some Government offices —so much towards: “Cats, milk and meat for consumption of.” The mail room at the Chief Post Office usually has a cat oil the staff, but at present the position is vacant, but there is little trouble from rats.

City merchants and shopkeepers gen erally are not greatly perturbed over the rat question. Familiarity with it over many years has led them to take the damage done by the vermin as a matter of course, and as long as it does not grow any worse, they are content to maintain a state of armed neutrality. There is lio need of any Pied Piper just now, they say. j Winter is here with its attendant; coughs, colds and other lung complaints. Be prepared to nip the ailments in the bud. Keep a large 2/6 bottle, of ‘NAZOL’ handy—contains 120 doses. Small size , at 3/6 contains 60 doses, *

I F. W. GREENSLADE | LAND AND ESTATE AGENT, I NORWICH CHAMBERS. TMTOANA: New bungalow 5 rms. and LTi largo porch. Conveniences include built-in wardrobes, linen press, hot water service, electric light throughout, ! excellent water supply. Price £975. TAHUNANUI: 5-rrad. furnished dwelling with garage. Large section. I Price reduced to £7OO for quick sale. DAIRY FARM comprising 45 acres rich river flats, well watered and subdivided (14 paddocks). Convenient cottage, new barn and cowsheds with milking machines. At present milking 24 cows, which could easily be increased to 30. Price £llsO. GOING CONCERN: 61 acres, 50 acres flat, balance undulating, 4 acres hops, 6 acres tobacco. Dwelling in good order. Hop kiln, tobacco kiln, cowshed and all necessary outbuildings. Stock 15 cows, 4 heifers, 2 horses. Price £1675. Large Government Mortgagee i e. McPherson & co. ! HARDY STREET. "DOARDINGHOUSE 16 rms., £I2OO. Owner would exchange for house property. pOLLINGWOOD-ST.: Level, sunny section. Central. £6 10s foot. 7 ACRES good flat land. Sound house 5 rms. and farm buildings. 2 miles Motueka. £550. piped for spraying. 17g acres. 5 acres full bearing export varieties. Good house and large sheds. Very pleasant situation. £IOOO. TTkAIRY FARM 45 acres rich river flats. 14 paddocks. Permanently watered. 10 acres under plough, balance carrying 24 cows, 7 calves, bull, 2 horses. Property would run 30 cows. Small dwelling with e. 1., h. and c. water, etc. Large outbuildings with machines installed. Price £llsO. TVrOTUEKA VALLEY: 72 acres, ineluding 22 acres river flats. Ideal for tobacco. 6 acres in tobacco and small fruits. Sound 6-rmd. house, tobacco ' sheds, etc. Price £IBOO or 22 acres with all buildings and crops £I2OO.