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39
I am glad to report that development in this area has ceased,
and I sincerely trust that it will not be continued until main drainage
has been supplied.
The best cesspool is a very poor substitute for main drainage.
If a house drained to a cesspool is to be adequately drained,
it is essential either that the cesspool should be emptied weekly or
alternatively that the residents should cut down the amount of water
used, especially for bathing.
The first alternative is costly and the second not be to advised.
Whilst I can imagine rural districts where it is impossible for
every house to be supplied with main drainage, I am of the opinion
that there is no need to attempt development on a large scale within
the District until such time as that area has been properly sewered.
Cesspools.
During 1934 the cesspools of the District were emptied by horsedrawn
vans and hand-manipulated pumps.
In December a combined cesspool and gulley emptier was
purchased at a cost, including all necessary hose, of £950.
This machine was very badly needed and is already doing good
service.
Closet Accommodation.
All the houses in the Urban portion of the District are supplied
with W.C.'s of various types, the majority being those of " washdown
" pattern. In the Rural parts of the District the accommodation
consists of water-closets connected with cesspools, or earthclosets
or privies with movable receptacles. I am not aware of
any middens in the District.
Every week one man in the employ of the Council attends
some few earth closets in a rural part of the district.
REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF HOUSE AND TRADE REFUSE.
At the end of the year the Council possessed the following
vehicles for the collection and disposal of refuse:—
6 " S.D." Freighters.
1 Tuke and Bell Barrier Type Petrol Vehicle.
One of the "S.D." Freighters is 8 years old and of the Old
Semi-open type.
Reference to page 33 of my Annual Report for 1933 will show
that I estimated that there would be sufficient space to continue
depositing refuse on Brown's brickfield until the middle of 1935.
In actual fact this field will be completed at the end of May,
1935, and it is intended that refuse shall be disposed of by controlled