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68
Removal of Refuse.—This is in charge of the Highways Department,
whose chief officer is the City Cleansing Surveyor, and the following
particulars are supplied by his courtesy. There are no earth closets
or privies in the area, the water carriage system being universal
throughout the City. The refuse which requires removal comes from
domestic premises, clubs, hotels and other similar buildings. A charge
is made for the removal of other than house refuse from trade premises,
such examples being fruit and vegetables, builders' refuse, etc. There
is a daily collection of house refuse, the removal of trade refuse
being subject to special arrangements; 80,000 tons of the former were
collected during the year and 1,000 tons of the latter. Refuse, after
collection, is disposed of in two ways; in one it is sent down the river
in barges to be finally deposited on waste land in Essex ; in the other it is
sorted in a salvage plant at one of the Council's depots. This plant was
installed in 1923, and is similar to a coal washing plant in design and mode
of working. By the latter method quantities of materials of a saleable
value, such as paper, rags, bones, metal, cinders, etc., are recovered from
the bulk. The residual product, largely free from organic debris, is
disposed of in a pulverised form, for the purposes of agriculture, etc.
During 1925, 66,000 tons were sent away in barges and 15,000 tons were
treated at the salvage plant.
The use of sanitary movable dustbins is general in the City, and is .
required under the by-laws.
By-laws as to Removal of Offensive Refuse.—Four cases were reported
of removal in unsuitable vehicles and in inadequate receptacles. Including
those there were 12 instances of removal during prohibited hours. A
summons was ordered in each case, the proceedings resulting in fines
amounting to £27.
Nuisances.—Intimation notices were served in 980 instances and 1,592
letters were sent dealing with those notices or kindred matters. Statutory
notices authorised by the sanitary authority numbered 27 and related
to 22 premises. Police court proceedings were taken in 5 instances in
order to enforce comoliance with the reouirements of statutory notices.