View report page

32
themselves, and what is far worse, no doubt to the injury of the
health of some.
Upon these assumptions the reversal of the one primary but
vicious condition is the most obvious remedy, and to effect this the
payments should of course be made dependent upon the removal
of ascertained quantities, and to this point my enquiries have been
directed, in order that I might have some practical suggestion to
offer to the Vestry for their consideration. Circular letters upon
this subject were, therefore, recently sent to the various Vestries
and District Boards of the Metropolis, most of whom still adhere
to the old plan, though none appear to like the vexatious nature of
the circumstances now accompanying it.
Different courses have, however, in several instances been tried
and finally adopted with considerable success, and wherever it was
found that changes had been made, I there sought personally
for further information, which was most courteously afforded, and
which convinced me that for the work of dusting alone, the least
radical change would be the most advisable. In one case only
I learned that the Vestry had reverted to the old method, and
had therefore again launched themselves upon a sea of troubles,
from which they would now perhaps gladly escape safe back to land.
The new plan had proved exceedingly beneficial, comparatively
few applications and no grievous complaints having been received ;
but an apparently cheap contract at a fixed sum could not be
refused, and to effect a probable saving, they have again venturously
faced the public odium and complaining, which will return with
re-doubled force after the interval of general tranquillity and satisfaction.
In some districts railway sidings have been constructed,
and shoots and wharves have been either purchased or rented.
Horses and plant have also been bought, and the dusting, scavengering,
and watering are all done by men employed by the Board.
In others, plant only has been purchased, and places of deposit
provided, the horses and drivers being hired from contractors by the
day, and the work being superintended by men engaged by the
Board direct. I do not recommend either of these plans, as experience
testifies strongly in favor of leaving the Contractor to provide
all that may be needed, so far as it shall be deemed consistent, with
a due regard to efficiency. The method which I beg, therefore,
to submit for the consideration of the Vestry, and which is described