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30
This table compares favourably also in other respects with that
of last year. Notwithstanding that the previous neglect of the
Contractors and their consequent legacy very seriously affected the
working of the first six months, the number of complaints amounted
only to about two-thirds of the number received during the corresponding
period of the previous year: whilst during the latter six
months of this year, the complaints reached scarcely one-half of the
number received during the latter half of the previous year.
Again, as regards these complaints, amounting to 22,671, it
appears that they were equal to 717 per cent. only of the total
number of inhabited houses in the parish, viz., 31,596, whereas in
the previous year, under the contract system, they were equal to
116.6 per cent. During the last six months of each of these
years, the contrast was much greater, the complaints being equal to
58.2 per cent. in 1875-6, whilst they were only 28.4 per cent. in
1876-7.
There is a further element, however, in connection with these
statistics which should not be overlooked, and that is, that whenever
the applications are most numerous, a large proportion of them are
no longer ordinary complaints, but are generally aggravated by some
particular neglect or continuous delay. These complaints which,
under the generic term of "second complaints," were of very
frequent occurrence and of so harassing a nature under the contractors,
have now become comparatively few under the present
system.
That much has been accomplished by the change is, therefore,
as clear as the shining of the sun at noonday; but it should not be
assumed, nor do I wish to convey such an impression, that perfection
in dusting has been attained. The improvement is gradually
becoming greater, and time is yet needed in order to effect changes in
many attendant and untoward circumstances, which are themselves
the natural and direct consequences of years of neglect, and which
will while they remain injuriously affect our work. One of
these circumstances is the fact that for years past the Vestry and
Sanitary Committee have in every possible way invited complaints
to be made to the Vestry, this practice having become absolutely
necessary as a precaution against the inveterate and persistent
indifference of the contractors.