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House and Trade Refuse.
During the year under review, 47,094 tons of refuse were collected by the
Council's vehicles and 55,508 tons disposed of at the Council's Refuse Destructor.
The difference between the two weights is largely the quantity of refuse delivered
to the Refuse Destructor from the Royal Arsenal and Army Barracks. Material
salvaged during the year amounted to 1,976 tons at a value of £8,777.
Public Conveniences.
Sixteen conveniences for men and a similar number for women are
maintained throughout the area, hours of opening and closing varying with
local requirements. In the town centre, for example, the conveniences are open
from 5.30 a.m. Normally, however, this service is available between the hours
of 6.30 a.m. and 11 p.m. These conveniences were inspected regularly throughout
the year. In all the conveniences water closets are now free.
Free Washing Facilities—Public Conveniences.
The Council has, for the past four years, provided free washing facilities at main
public conveniences. This service continues to be used and appreciated by the
public although some people still prefer the paid washing facilities which include the
supply of a linen towel. The number of paper towels used during the year was 55,000.
The information regarding Street Cleansing, Refuse Disposal, Public Conveniences
and Free Washing Facilities has been kindly supplied by the Borough
Engineer.
Tents, Vans and Sheds—Bye-laws.
The administration of Bye-laws made by the Borough Council in respect of
tents, vans and sheds is the responsibility of the Department, and a total of 131
inspections of these types of dwellings was carried out.
Public Baths and Washhouses.
The Council has four bathing establishments in the Borough. A full description
of this service, which includes swimming baths, slipper baths, Turkish Baths, public
laundry, and the use of the premises for social and sporting activities during the winter
months, was included in my Annual Report for the year 1952.
During the year improvements were made in the Public Laundry service at
Plumstead Baths, and two 25 lbs. capacity washing machines and four modern
hydro-extractors were installed. This new facility has been much appreciated by
the public, and it has been necessary to extend the hours of opening to meet the
demand. The Laundry is now open from 7.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. Monday to Friday,
and from 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Saturdays. The charge for the use of a washing
machine was fixed at 2s. Od. for half-an-hour, which is sufficient time to wash 25 lbs.
dry weight laundry, and the charge for the use of a hydro-extractor was fixed at
Id. In view of the demand for this service, it is hoped that two more washing machines
of similar type can be installed during 1956.
The Indoor Cricket School at Eltham Baths again had a very successful season.
The outstanding feature of last season was perhaps the Kent County Cricket Club's
Coaching Scheme for schoolboys which was held there for the first time, and which
it is proposed to continue next season.
Early last year the plant at the Woolwich Baths was converted from coal
burning to oil burning, with a consequent reduction in operating costs of more than
£1,000 a year. In view of the success of this project the work of converting the plant
at the Plumstead Baths has been put in hand, and should be completed by September,
1956.
The Chief Administrative Officer of the Baths Department has informed
me that during the twelve months ended 31st March, 1955, there was an increase
of 3,198 compared with the previous year in the total number of attendances.
Attendances during that period were as follows :—
Swimming 422,085
Slipper Baths 143,710
Turkish Baths 10,250
Public Laundry 9,650
Free Baths to Old Age Pensioners and Unemployed
Persons 4,139
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