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34
Many requests were received from residents with regard to
the clearing of branch drains, eradication of vermin, destruction
of ants and wasps nests, etc. In each case the necessary
service was provided with much beneficial result to the
applicant.
The charges made in connection with the above service
amounted to £49 19s. 6d.
D(5)d Closet accommodation and Cesspools
The whole of the closet accommodation both in the older
parts of the town and in the recently developed areas is identified
with the water carriage system, there being only 22 known
cesspools existing. Cesspools are emptied once a month free
of charge by Council resolution of 10th March, 1942, and
sewage contents are disposed of by discharging into the nearest
sewer. The cesspools requiring the service of Council plant
are scattered throughout the district, and in the majority of
cases, necessitate the covering of considerable distances both
for pumping out and conveying to the point of discharge.
During the year, cesspools were emptied on 27 occasions.
In one instance, a cesspool has been abandoned, and the
drains connected to Corporation sewer.
D(5)e Smoke Abatement
Smoke and grit emission necessitated action being taken
which resulted in the following improvements:—
(a) Foundry. Apertures in walls effectively closed.
(b) Coal screening
plant. Hopper improved and canvas screen
provided.
D(5)f Swimming Baths and Pools
(1) The Council's open air bath is situated in Stonewood
Road and comprises one pool of some 55,000 gallons capacity
which is now exclusively used by the Kent Education Committee
during normal school hours, and local youth clubs
during the evenings and on Saturday mornings. Water in the
pool is heated to a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit by
low pressure steam heating and is sterilised by the chlorine
process. There is a slipper establishment with accommodation
for 16 males and 4 females. Adjacent to the public bath is a
mechanical laundry which launders on behalf of various undertakings
which include the Corporation's CateringDepartment.