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57
where the roads are not suitable for the working of heavy
vehicles. In consequence of this improved method of transport
it has been found possible to take all the refuse to the
destructors at Plumstead and Woolwich, and shoots are no
longer being used in the Borough, nor is any of the Borough
refuse being dumped outside the Borough as in previous
years. The Council have established a plant at the Plumstead
Destructor for the conversion of clinker into road
material, and during the year this material—a mixture of
clinker and bitumen—has been used, with satisfactory results,
on certain roads in the Borough. This experiment promises
well.
Trade Refuse. Arrangements also exist for the removal
of inoffensive trade refuse, which is usually taken to the
Plumstead Destructor for disposal. A charge of 5s. per load
is made for this service.
Offensive Trade Refuse. This is collected in specially
made receptacles at a charge of 6d. a receptacle, and is conveyed
to a firm in the east end of London for conversion into
manure.
As the removal and destruction of refuse is essential
to the public and individual health, the regular performance
of these services is a material advantage in protecting the
health of the public against the evil results of decay., decomposition,
putrefaction and contamination.
Emptying of Street Gullies. During the year the Council
made a start in abolishing the old method of emptying street
gullies—by lifting the foul contents of the same by means of a
hand ladle and transferring them on to the surface of the
public highway, to be subsequently picked up by the slop
cart—and is now using a method of mechanical suction, by
vacuum power, direct from the gulley, through a hose pipe,
into an enclosed receptacle tank, by means of which it is
carried away direct.