RAT INVASION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24633, 14 June 1941, Page 10

RAT INVASION

ESCAPE FROM BOMBING The latest unwelcome and uninvited evacuees to Australia' from Britain are rats bombed out of their homes in warehouses and docks. Several ships have had more rats than usual, but officials of the Commonwealth Health Department said that the tax influx was well under control, British Merchant Marine officers have reported that in some ports of Britain rats have been difficult to control since bombing started. Bombing of warehouses has left rats “ homeless." and, despite precautions, some have found their way into the holds of ships. On one ship during the voyage the crew killed 100 rats. In Sydney it has been necessary to clear a couple of ships and fumigate them, 1 “ It is Quite understandable that rats are running wild in some of the British ports,” said a Commonwealth health officer in Sydney. “ but the 1 increase here has not been notable. Our inspectors are constantly on the watch and they take steps to combat the rats as soon as they see signs of them. When necessary, fumigation Is ordered.”