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3. Refuse and Salvage Collection.
(a) Refuse Collection. This is the first year that the Council has undertaken
the collection of refuse and salvage by direct labour as in previous
years it was done by Contract. I am able to report that the efficiency of the
service has improved thereby and all domestic premises have a once-weekly
collection. The Council also undertake by arrangement, collection of trade
waste. This collection is as frequent as is required by the tradesmen. The
service has been somewhat hampered during the year by reason of the
necessity for use of aged hired vehicles, but a fleet of modern especially
designed vehicles is now in use with a marked improvement in efficiency.
This is borne out by the relative absence of the complaints so general in
previous years. Disposal of refuse is by controlled tipping with precautions
against vermin, crickets and flies.
(b) Salvage Collection. Salvage collection is made at the same time
as that of house refuse and shows a very welcome income to the Council.
Sanitary Inspection of the Area.
The Senior Sanitary Inspector reports as follows:—
Some delay has been experienced during the year in getting notices
complied with. This has been caused by various circumstances, not the
least of which has been the difficulty in obtaining materials.
Delay is often caused by owners and agents claiming that the defects
were caused by enemy action. Opportunity has been given for the necessary
contact to be made with the War Damage Commission. It has been noted
that in many cases no steps have been taken with the War Damage Commission
until a notice has been served.
Much work has been carried out in connection with the maintenance
of requisitioned property. Much of this property is large and of some
considerable age. In consequence, many complaints have been lodged, both
at the Housing and Public Health Departments. Some 270 complaints were
received necessitating 851 visits. With the good co-operation from local
builders, the works of maintenance were speedily carried out.