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tory manner; complaints are rare and applications even, for theremoval
of ashes, are now few by comparison with the shoals with
which formerly it was found so difficult to deal. Not infrequently,
moreover, when the dustmen have been censured for supposed
neglect, it has turned out on enquiry that the servants were in
fault; such lame excuses as that the hour of the dustman's call
was "inconvenient"; or that "the steps had just been cleaned",
being deemed sufficient for turning the dustman away and for the
perpetuation of the nuisance of a full and often stinking dustbin.
And nuisance, it may be averred, arises almost solely from the
improper use of the receptacle, by the deposit therein of animal
and vegetable refuse, of which it may be said that the former has
an appreciable value, and should be utilized, while the latter
admits of being burned on the kitchen fire. A notification to
this effect was left at every house in the parish in 1873, and again
in 1883.
Efforts have been made to systematise the work of dust-collection
by dividing the parish into districts, and by providing for the
inspection of the dustbins and for supervision of the "dusting
gangs." A call is now made at every house once a week and
further improvement is scarcely possible until the whole abominable
system of dust-harbourage shall have given place to the only
rational practice of a daily collection from moveable receptacles
deposited in the early morning on the footway, ready for the call
of the dustman.
Delay in the removal of ashes, at present, arises not unfrequently
from the inconvenient position in which the receptacle is
placed, e.g., in a deep area, to which there is no access save by
ladders—a short one on the foot pavement, and a longer one in
the area. Apart from the question of danger to the dustmen in
the use of the ladders, it is a question whether your Yestry should
not insist on some more satisfactory provision being made, as by
steps and an area gate, giving safe and convenient access to the
receptacle? In some cases where there are steps, householders
refuse to allow the gate to be unlocked, thus wilfully endangering
the safety of the unfortunate dustmen.
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