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40
During the year, one accident occurred at a filling station. An
employee was warming himself at an open stove a considerable
distance from the pumps. He was wearing garments on which
petrol had been spilt and this ignited, causing injury.
PUBLIC CLEANSING, REFUSE COLLECTION AND
DISPOSAL.
I am indebted to the Cleansing, Salvage and Transport Officer
for the following information.
As development of the district continues the number of houses
seen in construction is sometimes fascinating. Every available
piece of land is being harnessed to put a pair of houses, a small
estate, a block of flats and so on, inevitably increasing the output
of refuse and stretching the resources of the department. The
volume of domestic refuse collected in the district continues to
increase and approximately 200,000 cu. yds. per annum are now
being collected. For though it may be said to be the general trend
throughout the country we are inclined to think of this as our own
problem. We have to keep abreast with our weekly collection
schedules fighting against such serious difficulties, for instance, as
presented by the fickle climate, labour shortages and keeping the
vehicles in first rate trim for the job.
In addition to our normal services of refuse collection a considerable
number of special collections of trade waste and refuse
from premises in the district not normally classified as domestic
refuse, are made. The service offered has proved popular as an
increasing number of residents make use of it. Charges are made
for the work which are based on the basic cost of the work involved
plus oncosts. It proves very popular as it provides an outlet to
residents who may otherwise be harassed by quantities of garden
refuse, debris and so on for disposal.
Another service added to the above during the past year has
been the collection of scrap vehicles. A charge for disposal is
made of £5 for cars under 12 H.P. and £10 for those over 12 H.P.
at the chute. This service has been used by some residents, happily;
but there are unfortunately, those who under the cover of darkness
yield to the temptation of dumping unwanted cars and other
rubbish on the highway. The department usually removes unwanted
vehicles by means of loading them by mechanical shovel
on to an open truck. They are never towed.
With the increase in volume of refuse much thought is given
to the type of vehicle to be bought when replacing items of the
fleet. The latest vehicle delivered is a 50 cu. yd. Shelvoke and