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Refuse Removal. The work of refuse removal is carried
out by the Council themselves, and the material collected is
disposed of either by depositing on low-lying land as the Greenwich
Marshes, or taken away from the riverside depots by
means of barges.
The Greenwich Marshes are also used by private firms as a
tipping ground for rubbish which is collected in other districts,
and from time to time, complaints have been received respecting
the offensive condition and unpleasant smells arising from this
refuse. In one instance a case of Typhoid Fever was alleged to
have been caused by the offensive smells in this neighbourhood.
In company with the District Inspector, I made careful
inspection of the whole of this area, and found that there were
certainly grave causes for complaint, and in a Report which I
brought before the Public Health Committee on this matter, I
reported that, unfortunately, the chief offenders in this respect
appeared to be the Borough Council themselves, for the portion
of waste land which is rented by them and used for the depositing
of house refuse, was, at the time of my visit, in a most offensive,
unsightly and disgusting condition. The matter from cesspools
appeared to have been deposited within a very few yards from the
side of the public roadway, instead of, as it might have been, taken
to the furthest extremity of the land. The portion used for
depositing ashpit refuse was also in a most unsightly condition,
being covered with loose papers, blowing about in all directions;
and I am certainly of opinion that the time has come when this
Council should seriously consider the question as to whether some
better method of disposing of the refuse should not be adopted
in the way of suitable refuse destructors.