View report page

17
these bins are from time to time disturbed and turned over by " totters " for
pickings for which they presumably find a market, and by children in search of
cigarette cards and other treasures of boys of to-day. Also, in the case of overfull
uncovered bins paper and other light content is easily spilled around the bin and in
windy weather is blown about up or down the street; but in the course of a number
of inspections in the early morning and later afternoon it was found that much of
the litter in the main thoroughfares did not originate from dustbins. It consisted
of omnibus tickets particularly in the vicinity of omnibus stopping places, smokers'
refuse—empty cigarette cartons, match boxes—evening newspaper bills thrown
away by casual street news-sellers, paper bags and other refuse discarded by
pedestrians, even waste vegetable matter and other trade refuse. To ascertain the
extent to which an evening collection would improve the condition of the streets,
the Public Health Committee decided to experiment with an evening collection in
the daily streets on six consecutive evenings. It was anticipated that as the result
of such collection an increased number of bins would be put out overnight. This
anticipation was fulfilled. Inspections were made after each evening collection
and although some improvement was noticed there remained a considerable
amount of litter from other sources. The Committee were of opinion that the
result achieved by the later collection was not commensurate with the extra cost
involved and the experiment was discontinued. Steps have been taken to secure
a stricter compliance with the by-laws governing the deposit of refuse on the kerb.
Upwards of 500 letters and notices have been issued calling attention to improper
receptacles or to metal receptacles overfull or not properly covered. This action
has secured considerable improvement, but constant supervision in the early
morning and late afternoon is essential. The Council has approved the appointment
of a dust inspector who will devote his whole time to the supervision of the
removal of house and trade refuse.
Improvement of Type of Dust Cart.
The Health Committee and the Council's officials have gone very thoroughly
into the desirability of substituting dustless freighters for the motor wagons used
for the removal of house refuse. Several meetings of a specially appointed Dust
Sub-Committee were held, in which the Mayor took a special interest, the members
of the Sub-Committee and the Public Health Staff inspected a large number of
different types of dust collecting vehicles designed in this country and abroad,
experiments extending over two weeks were made in the use of two different types
of low loading freighters.
In view largely of the fact that the entirely satisfactory dust collecting vehicle
has yet to be designed it was decided to defer the wholesale adoption of any one
particular type of present dust cart. In the meantime the Contractors have
provided two " Eagle Vulcan " freighters of a new design which included several
improvements suggested by members of the Sub-Committee, the Town Clerk and
the Public Health Staff.
The Borough Accountant was able to show that collection by these motor
freighters was cheaper than by the horsed vehicles provided. To obtain the full
advantage of such motor low loading vehicles they must work in pairs; a gang of
dustmen is especially trained for the purpose
R