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146
light task. That it is on the whole satisfactorily performed may
be inferred from the comparative fewness of complaints, which
were numerous when the work was in the hands of contractors.
Few as the complaints now are, a not inconsiderable proportion
of them results from the neglect of domestic servants to allow
the refuse to be removed when the periodical call is made.
Nuisance, in the sanitary sense, need not arise even from a full
dustbin : when it occurs it 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 utilized, 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 systematized 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 practice
of refuse-harbourage shall have given place to the only rational
system of daily, or, at any rate, frequent collection from moveable
receptacles, to be provided either by the Sanitary Authority
or by the householder.
Desirous of dealing with this nuisance in an effective way,
your Vestry, in November, 1887, requested the late Metropolitan
Board of Works to include in any suitable Bill thereafter promoted
by them in Parliament, clauses to confer power enabling
Sanitary Authorities to abolish dust-bins, and to enforce provision
in lieu thereof, of approved moveable receptacles, in order
that a more frequent and accelerated collection of dust might be
made. The Board referred the subject to the Works, Sanitary and
General Purposes Committee, who addressed a communication
to the Vestries and District Boards of Works, intimating
that a representation had been made to the Board" as to the