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that the number has decreased to an almost insignificant figure.
This satisfactory result has followed from the introduction of the
system of calling weekly at each house in the district. This
periodical house-call was begun at the beginning of the year 1895,
and since that time there has been a steady decline in the number of
complaints or requests. While this gradual diminution of the complaints
of non-removal of dust is satisfactory, there is not so much
satisfaction derived from the consideration of the attitude of householders
towards the dustmen when they make their weekly calls. A
list of the refusals during the year is appended. On comparison
with that for the year 1896, it will be seen that the average number
of refusals for 1897 is much the same as in 1896.
It appears that during 1897 an independent enquiry was made
by the London County Council as to the mode of collection of house
refuse carried on in Hackney, with the results recorded in the
following copy of a letter sent to the Vestry by the clerk to the
Council.
London County Council,
Spring Gardens, S.W.,
17th December, 1897.
Sir,—With reference to previous correspondence on the subject of the
collection of house refuse in the Parish of Hackney I am directed to inform
you that the result of inquiry made by the Council's inspector at 10,119
houses is to show that: —
(а) It is the practice of the dust collectors to call at every house
once a week.
(б) It is the fault of the inhabitants when weekly collection is not
made.
(c) There were accumulations of refuse due to non-removal for
periods of two or more weeks in 2,834 out of the 10,119 houses
visited.
In the case of Borrow v. Howland it was decided in the Queen's Bench
Division of the High Court of Justice on 15th May, 1896, that refusing to
allow scavengers of the Sanitary Authority to enter premises for the purpose
of removing house refuse constituted " obstruction " within the meaning of
Section 116 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891 ; and I am to suggest
to the Vestry that the institution of proceedings against a few inhabitants,
and the publication of the results on handbills left at each house, would
probably suffice to overcome the difficulty which the Vestry now encounters
in its endeavour to secure the weekly removal of house refuse.
I am also to call the Vestry's attention to the fact that the dust
receptacles at 2,693 houses were found by the inspector to be in a dilapidated
condition.
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
T. BELL,
For the Clerk of the Counoil.
The Clerk of the Vestry of Hackney.