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stable refuse periodically ; the refuse, meanwhile, to be stored in suitable
receptacles—paved, drained, and enclosed within iron racks, above
ground.
4. Conclusion,—Legislation is necessary to give effect to the above recommendations,
and to compel railway and canal companies to carry refuse
from towns at a reasonable, while remunerative, rate.
HOUSE REFUSE.
The collection of ashes, and miscellaneous refuse, from
upwards of '21,000 houses, spread over an area of 2,200 acres,
and to the extent of 38,000 loads in a single year, is no light
task. That it is, on the whole, well done, may be inferred from
the fewness of complaints, which were legion when the work was
in the hands of contractors. Comparatively few as the complaints
now are, a not inconsiderable proportion of them results from the
refusal of domestic servants to allow the refuse to be removed
when the periodical call is made. Nuisance in the sanitary sense,
even from a full dustbin, need not be inevitable; and when
occurring is due to improper use of the receptacle; by the deposit
therein of animal and vegetable matters, of which it may be said
that the former has an appreciable value, and should be utilised,
while the latter admits of being burned, after drying, on the
kitchen fire. A notification to this effect was left at every house
in the Parish in 1873, and again in 1883.
The work of dust collection has been systematised by division
of the parish into districts, and provision has been made for
inspection of dustbins and oversight of the " dusting gangs." A
call is now made at every house once a week, and further improvement
is scarcely possible until the objectionable system of refuse
harbourage shall have given place to the more rational practice of
daily collection from moveable receptacles deposited in the early
morning on the footway, ready for the cart. In my last Report
I stated that delay in removal was not unfrequently due to the
inconvenient position of the receptacle, as for instance, in an
area, to which there is no access save by ladders over the railings ;
and that in some cases where there are steps householders refused