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25
Scavenging and Refuse Removal. The scavenging of the
Borough is theoretically carried out on a weekly system of collection.
Unfortunately complaints are received from time to time
by this Department that the weekly system has become extended
into a two or three weekly period. These matters are always
brought to the attention of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor
so that, he can deal with them.
The method of the disposal of the refuse after it has been
collected leaves much to be desired, the present method being
by means of tipping on the low-lying marshes and waste land in
the Borough, but, as these places are gradually becoming tilled
up, the sites available are now within too close proximity to occupied
houses and other public places to be conducive to healthy
conditions, and undoubtedly these refuse dumps are at the present
time a breeding ground for large numbers of both rats, mice and
flies.
Some portion of the refuse is tipped into barges at this
Council's Depots on the River Side and barged away for disposal
down the river.
Two hundred and sixty-three new ash receptacles have been
provided, and 26 complaints on this subject have been forwarded
to the Borough Engineer for his attention.
Horse Slaughterer. The one horse slaughtering premises
in this Borough has been visited on eight occasions, and cleansing
of the premises required on four of the visits.
Other Scheduled Offensive Trades. The Foreign Animals
Wharf being still in the occupation of the Military, the Offensive
Trades generally carried on therein have not yet been recommended.
Smoke Nuisances. Eighteen observations have been made for
smoke nuisances during the year, and on no occasion was it found
necessary to issue a statutory notice.
House Drainage. Twelve drains have been constructed, 89
drainage systems have been reconstructed or repaired; 276 such
systems have also been opened, cleansed and amended; 40 surface
drains have been constructed; 44 drains and soil pipes have been
ventilated, 181 systems have been tested by smoke, 129 by water and
60 by chemicals, of which number 119 were found to be defective;
25 new soil pipes and 129 traps have been fixed, together with 61
intercepting chambers and fresh-air inlets and 17 other chambers;
21 areas, 36 yards, 6 mews and stables, 2 washhouses drained; 1
cesspool abolished, 2 emptied, 2 air-tight covers amended and 1
ventilated; 26 water-closets have been erected; a pan, trap and water
supply have been furnished throughout in 83 cases; pan and traps
only furnished in 60 cases; pans only in 18 Cases, and other fittings
provided or improved in 184 cases, whilst the water supply has