The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-11-14
WANTED-A RAT CATCHER.

The man of the hour is not at hand.
seemingly, or there would be before
the business men interested in the
clearing of the waterfront of rats a def
mite proposition from a professional
rat catcher. Hawaii's Rat Napoleon
has not arrived, and so the extermina-
ton of the rodents must go on through
the ordinary methods of suffocation by
sulphur.
The rat catcher has been a pecu-
liar figure everywhere in the past. From
time immemorial he has been the Won
der OF the lads and terror to the pest.
Dickens described him. His methods
have had to do with the development Of
his dogs and their purity of breed. In
every city Of the country he fiourishes.
.Gaunt, dressed without care and mark
ed always by coat which has deep
pockets which hold the ferrets, and
boots with long leggings, he is mid
night feature, for his work is almost
always done during the silent watches.
New Yorks Mr. Isaacs of Fulton
street is a historic character, Boston,
New Orleans, San Francisco and each
of the interior cities has his counter
part. and the work these men do, in
keeping down the rats in the business
district makes them sought after by
ence OF the undesirable tenants. His
work is thorough. He is a man of
moods, uncommunicative and shrink
ing but vigorous when in action, and
that he has not invaded this island is
due perhaps to the fame of Marsden
and his mongoose.
The method of the rat catcher is one
which he varies to fit conditions. but
in the ordinary course of his pursuit he
works with both ferret and dog. His
little white ferrets he sends into the
holes Of the rats to drive them out or
kill them where they nest. Once the
little terror gets into the same hole with
a rat there is a cry of alarm and If
possible the rat flies. But his appear
ance in the open is the signal for a
death as certain. for the only love and
joy of a rat catcher's life is in his dogs.
OF the purest blood of the fox terrier
breed these companions of this peculiar
professional are sure in their skill and
careful in the watch Of each point of
vantage.
In the absence of such a craftsman
as.the rat catcher, the problem of get
ting rid of the rats on the front and
in the city is more difficult. The plan
of the Board of Health Is certain of
success. 1t will take time but it will
place the 'front.' IN Such cOndltlOn Indl
there will never be any fear that the
plague will find foothold there. There
is a suggestion made which may offer
an opportunity for immediate work.
When the Waialeale was fumigated
there were found to be a multitude of
rats in the hold. The suggestion is
that a hulk. a scow perhaps should be
laid alongside a dock, so stocked with
bait for the rats that they would be
attracted on board. The craft could
then be taken into the stream and the
rats killed by fumigation.
Too much stress cannot be laid upon
the necessity for prevention. 1t looks
well when the men whose business in
terests demand that they take every
precautiOn to prevent infection from
gaining the slightest foothold upon the
island, are aroused to action With
united effort the city may be rendered
secure from any danger from the pest
and the vigilance of the Board OF
Health is token that nothing will be
overlooked In the campaign for Sc
curity.