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36
SECTION C.
SANITARY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
AGRICULTURE (SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE
PROVISIONS) ACT, 1956.
Under the above Act, Local Authorities have the duty of
enforcing provisions concerning sanitary accommodation for
employees, on agricultural holdings.
During the year 34 visits were paid to the 28 premises which
come within this category. It was not necessary to take action in
any instance.
CESSPOOLS.
In 1954 the Council decided that sewers should be constructed
to provide main drainage for premises on cesspools, where outfalls
were reasonably available. During 1961, sewers were laid in the
streets off Leesons Hill, St. Paul's Cray, and this resulted in the
abolition of 59 cesspools. Elsewhere, the use of two other pools
ceased. On the other hand, six new cesspools were constructed for
premises too far distant from sewers to make connection possible.
A small scheme, to be carried out in 1962, will provide sewerage
for a few houses in the Bunkers Hill area of North Cray, and
this very largely, will conclude this phase of the Council's plan.
In 1954, there were 473 premises not connected to main
drainage. By the end of 1961, this had been reduced to 227, and
allowing for the fact that in some instances properties are drained
in combination, the number of cesspools stood at 148.
The position at that time was:
Premises. Cesspools.
Lamorbey and Blackfen 4 4
Sidcup and Footscray 6 4
North Cray 127 84
St. Paul's Cray 73 43
Chislehurst and Mottingham 17 13
Cesspool Emptying
The reduction in the number of cesspools has been accompanied
by a progressive decrease in the total work undertaken by
the Council's gully emptying service. This is available to owners
of premises with cesspool drainage, at a charge of 7/6d. per load
for dwelling houses and 15/- per load for commercial premises.