London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Orpington 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]

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44
REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF HOUSE REFUSE.
The work lias been carried out by the Council by direct
labour and with their own appliances since April, 1930, Contractors
previously being employed both in connection with
collection and disposal.
Collections are made weekly from all premises in the
District with the exception of the former parishes of Cudham,
Downe, and Knockholt, which, prior to the formation of the
Urban District in April, 1934, had no collection whatever. In
the latter area the work is carried out once a fortnight.
The vehicles in use at the end of the year were: One 10-c.
yard capacity self-contained Karrier Freighter, six 9-c. yard
and one 7-c. yard capacity Eagle two-wheeled hydraulic
end-tipping trailers, adaptable for either horse or mechanical
power haulage.
Owing to the growth of the District, the purchase of an
additional self-contained Freighter was under consideration at
the end of the year.
Haulage of full Trailers to the Dump and the conveyance
of empty vehicles to Collecting Teams is carried out by two
International Tractors which have been in constant use since
1930.
House-to-house collection by Trailers is done by horse
haulage, horses and driver for this work being* hired under a
yearly contract.
From January to September three teams with horse-drawn
Trailers, with a total of nine Collectors (horse drivers included),
and one Freighter with two Collectors (driver excluded), were
employed full time on collection. From October one
additional Trailer Team with two Collectors and driver were
engaged to supplement the staff, owing to the increased work.
The work of collection has been carried out satisfactorily
and regularly throughout the year by the teams concerned.
It is true complaints have been received from residents
objecting to the use of skeps in the removal of refuse from
their premises, on the ground that the method is insanitary,
and alleging refuse is spilled thereby.
With a view to overcoming any objection in this direction,
an endeavour is always made with complainants for a compromise,
whereby bins are emptied direct into the collecting
vehicle, but the return of the empty bin to the rear of the
premises made by the occupiers. If every occupier would be
willing to assist in this way the general use of skeps could be
dispensed with, and a saving thereby effected in the cost of
collection.