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59
6. PUBLIC CLEANSING.
(a) Storage, Collection and Disposal.—-'The collection and disposal of domestic
refuse is controlled by the Borough Engineer and Surveyor.
During the year, 9,263 loads of refuse were collected, with an average weight of
1 ton 12 cwts. This figure shows a yield of 11.2 cwts per 1,000 of the population
per day.
A charge of five shillings per load is made for the removal of trade refuse, but no
charge is made for the use of the public tips by tradesmen who make their own
provision for transport.
During the year the land available for tipping at Mayesbrook was used up ;
this necessitated the disposal of the whole of the refuse at Jenkins Lane.
At this site the land available is sufficient for 6 months only.
In my Report for the year 1934, I referred to the reclamation of marsh land
by tipping and earlier in this report I have commended such a scheme.
Our dustless loading vehicles purchased in the early days of this type of
collection are I am pleased to say shortly to be replaced with more up-to-date models.
The present weekly collection of refuse will be more satisfactory when the
Corporation's dustbin scheme inaugurated in 1934 becomes general throughout
the district.
(b) Street Cleansing.—In my earlier reports I have ventured to protest against
the disposal of waste paper and similar matter in the streets by the general public.
I am pleased to report an improvement in this respect but regret that I must
register my disappointment with the misuse of small vacant plots of land abutting
upon streets.
The disposal of rubbish on such plots is a constant source of trouble to this
Department and the owners. Fencing and prohibition notices fail to act as
deterrents.
I can only hope that better habits of life will prevail.
The year 1935 saw the employment of the Council's first mechanical gully
cleanser.
I am hopeful that this will be followed by the employment of further mechanical
cleansing machines for street-sweeping, etc.