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Public Cleansing. It may be of interest to recall that
from 1908 refuse collection and disposal has been carried out by
the Council directly, prior to that date it was contracted out.
In the year 1913 at the time of the formation of our present
district, our records show that 3,900 tons of house and garden
refuse were collected and disposed of at the tip at Merton
Park Brickfield. The record further states that the Council pay
an annual rent for the shoot at Merton and the cost has been
partially recovered by the receipt of a small sum in respect of the
privilege of sorting and selling old rags, bottles, tins, etc., and
the further observation is made that a twice weekly or even
daily collection in the poorer streets of the districts, particularly
during the summer months, would be better for the community.
Three facts of outstanding interest are contained in this
record (a) totting, which might be described as unofficial salvage,
was being practised at that time; (b) garden refuse does not seem
to have been excluded from house refuse, an arrangement which,
today, would free us of the nuisance of garden fires—the only
method at the present time available and (c) a more frequent
collection than weekly was recommended even at that date. At
the present time there is a weekly collection and during the year
under review 15,324 tons of house refuse was collected and
disposed of.
Drainage and Sewerage. No major sewerage or drainage
schemes have been undertaken by the Council during the year.
Rivers and Streams. The ditch on the north side of Approach
Road, Raynes Park, was piped by the Railway Executive during
the year and a short length of the Pickle Ditch culverted by the
Surrey County Council.
Closet Accommodation. All premises have water closets
drained to sewers except four which are drained to cesspools.
In addition there are four chemical pail closets on Sports
Grounds.
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