RATS AND THEIR WAYS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11222, 30 May 1922, Page 6

RATS AND THEIR WAYS

HOW CONTAMINATION IS CARRIED. A WONDERFUL FILM ON ITS WAY TO N.Z. A wonderful film* which must have coat the man with the camera many a weary hour, is on it’s way to New Zealand, having been purchased by the Dominion representative at 'Home for exhibition in New Zealand for anti-rat propaganda. It was taken under the auspices of the Incorporated Vermin Repression Society, and, after exhibition to officers of the New Zealand Government at Home, it was decided to secure a copy, and it is expected to reach the Dominion in the oouree of a few days. It runs to about 1800 feet, and takes 25 minutes to show. LEAVING THE SHIPS. It shows the Tats leaving the ships by ropes, ladders, or connecting planks, attacking the granaries and gnawing their way into buildings. They also travel along hedges and ditches into the bountry, and then into the towns, many of them loathsomely mangy and diseased, leaving their trail of disease and dirt behind. They attack the farms, produce, the hen roosts, eat the eggs, kill young chickens, and penetrate into all sorts of places. Hieir trail of destruction spreads in all directions, and all the damage they do is not merely for the purpose of obtaining food. IN THE LARDER, Tho camera man, with great skill, follows their entrance into houses, sees them in the larder where, after they

have been running through all sorts of filth, they walk over and sample various foods which are to make their appearance on the table. Imagine the family, in healthy anticipation of the meal, finding that rats have been there first, and that here and there are feet or I teeth marks this disgusting vermin has left behind. Medical science has proved that bubonic plague is carried by rats, and it is clearly demonstrated in the film how they get from one country to another, j Tho remainder of the picture shows how - the pest can be fought with ferrets and dogs, traps, poison, rat-catching varnish, all of which are effective methods, particularly in the hands of experts.