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10
During the winter and wet weather the cesspools on
the Marshes are a constant source of trouble and nuisance.
Not only does the condition of the Marshes render it
extremely difficult, and sometimes almost impossible for
the cesspool emptying vans to reach those spots where
the cesspool matter may be deposited, but in many cases
the cesspools are not water-tight, and when the marsh
ground in waterlogged, the cesspools, after being emptied,
rapidly fill again with marsh water through the
cracks in the sides and bottoms of the cesspools.
During the year 25 houses were re-drained and connected
to the new sewer, which before then had been
drained into cesspools.
(3) Closet Accommodation.
The large majority of houses in the District are provided
with water-closets of the wash-down type, the
sewage passing either to the sewer or cesspools.
Eight houses in the District are provided with earth
closets, six of these being on the Marshes, the other two
being so situated that it was impossible to construct
water-closets and connect them to the main sewer owing
to the difference in level.
Some of the larger factories situated on the Marshes
have a system of earth closets, and most of the smaller
ones are similarly provided.
(4) Scavenging.
House refuse is collected by the Council throughout
the District twice a week.
The Council's Bye-laws require that occupiers should
place the refuse in proper sanitary dustbins, with covers,
either on the kerb or in the forecourts of the houses, or
in cases where there is at the backs of the houses a
passage-way sufficiently wide to admit a cart, the receptacle
may be placed near the door in the garden leading
into the passage. The refuse is deposited on various
shoots at Anchor Bay and on the Marshes, there being no
dust destructor. A man is employed on these shoots to
collect and burn all refuse which can be consumed in this
manner, such as paper, etc.
During the year the number of loads of refuse removed
was 6,350, as compared with 5,998 in 1912, and
5,549 in 1911. A statement showing the number of