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12
SCAVENGING AND REFUSE DISPOSAL.
These essential services in the Borough are under the control
of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor who has kindly supplied
me with the following information relating to them.
The cleansing of the 71 miles of streets within the Borough
is done by both hand and mechanical sweeping : about 20 miles
daily, 30 miles three times weekly and 21 miles twice weekly.
The emptying and flushing of over 4,000 road gullies is efficiently
carried out by a mechanical gully emptying vehicle.
The household refuse is collected from over 20,000 dwellings
within the Borough and averages about 400 tons weekly, and there
is also a special collection of trade refuse from markets and stalls.
Since the commencement of hostilities a special effort is being
made to induce the householders to keep newspapers and wrappings,
etc., bones, and metals separate from the other refuse.
The whole of the household refuse collected in the Borough
was, until the outbreak of War, disposed of by separation and
incineration at the Council's Refuse Disposal Plant, the ashes
separated from the refuse were sold for brickmaking, and tins,
scrap metal, bottles and rags were sorted out and provided a
revenue from their sale. Since the outbreak of hostilities it has
been found necessary to close down the Plant and barge away the
refuse direct with separation. The newspapers and wrappings,
etc., bones and metals which are kept separate from the other
refuse by the householder are, of course, disposed of and form a
source of income as well as being helpful for the prosecution of the
War.
CLEANSING STATION, BLACKWALL LANE.
In connection with the Government's Evacuation Scheme, the
Station was placed unreservedly at the County Council's disposal
from the end of October. Little use, however, was made of this
service, so presumably it can be stated that very few Greenwich
children were found to be in a verminous condition.
WATER FROM WELLS.
A special survey was made during the year of wells and borings
in the Borough. Much useful information was obtained and forwarded
to the Ministry of Health.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
It was found necessary in one case only to institute proceedings
in regard to insanitary premises. An Order was made, but no
fine was imposed.