London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Orpington 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]
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40
HOUSE REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL.
Since April, 19-30, the work of collection has been carried
out by the Council by direct labour with their own vehicles
weekly from the Northern portion of the district, prior to which
date Contractors were employed.
Previous to the formation of the Urban District, there was
no collection made by the Council from houses in the Southern
portion (viz., Cudham, Downe and Knockholt), but from
April, 1934, a collection has been made in the area each
fortnight, and the service is much appreciated by residents.
The vehicles in use are:—One 10-c. yard capacity self-contained
Karrier Freighter, one 7-c.. yard and six 9-c. yard
capacity Eagle two-wheeled hydraulic end-tipping trailers,
adaptable for either horse or mechanical power haulage.
Haulage of full trailers to the dump and the conveyance
of empty trailers to collecting teams is carried out by two
International Tractors.
House-to-house collection by trailers is done by horse
haulage, horses and drivers for this work being hired under
yearly Contract.
The work of collection throughout the year has been carried
out regularly, all teams having performed their duties in a very
satisfactory manner.
The census of houses visited is taken each half-year
(April and October), a normal week's work being the basis.
The following are the figures ascertained for the year 1937, together with the figures for the corresponding period of the previous year for comparison:—
| Apl. 1937. | Apl. 1936. | Oct. 1937. | Oct. 1936. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of separate premises visited 12,385 | 11,257 | 13,412 | 12,116 |
| Total number of dustbins emptied 12,771 | 11,681 | 13,961 | 12,596 |
The question of the Council undertaking a special collection
of Trade Refuse from the various business premises in the
district was still under consideration during the year, but a
definite decision in the matter has not yet been arrived at.
During 1937 the two International Tractors travelled a
distance of 12,708 and 12,772 miles each respectively.
The Council purchased during the year a new Karrier
Freighter of 10-c. yards to replace the previous Vulcan Freighter
which was deemed to be past renovation. The Vulcan was out
of commission from the beginning of the year, the Karrier