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85
From this return it will be seen that the contribution of
refuse by business premises is very largely in excess of that
contributed by private houses, the average amount per annum
collected from houses of all classes being equal to 4.4 cubic yards,
while from business premises of all classes it amounts, according
to the estimate to 218 cubic yards per annum.
It is probable, therefore, that the disproportionate increase
in the amount of refuse collected per person, as well as the
increase in the amount collected per house, is due either to an
increased proportion of business premises in the district, or to an
increased contribution from them of what is termed domestic refuse.
It is true that the terms of the contract do not require the
removal by the contractors of " trade refuse," but a definition of
this term is difficult to formulate, and the facts show that business
premises do contribute disproportionately to the refuse of the
district.
When it is remembered that the cost during the year
amounted to 10s. 9½d. for every house in the district for refuse
removal, this increased contribution of refuse from business
premises becomes a matter for serious consideration.
All the facts point to the possibility of effecting considerable
economies by the Council themselves undertaking the removal of
domestic refuse in the district. But in order to do so economically
it would first be necessary to provide the much needed
destructor. The difficulty of disposing of the refuse increases
from year to year.
Considerable sums are already paid by the Contractors for
leave to deposit it on lands in, or in the vicinity of, Willesden,
and these sums are of course ultimately paid for by the public.
In one of the three divisions into which for purposes of dust
removal the district is divided, the refuse is transported to canal
boats and thence carried to outlying districts in Middlesex.