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6
Public Conveniences.
During 1939 there has been no alteration in the number of
public conveniences available in the Borough. Details of these were
given in my Annual Report for 1938.
Disposal of Sewage.
The disposal of the sewage from the Borough of Barnes, and of
that from the Borough of Richmond, is carried out by the Richmond
Main Sewerage Board.
In 1934 the Richmond Main Sewerage Board, acting upon a
Report from the Board's Consulting Engineers, decided to bring their
Works up to date in order to deal more efficiently with the sewage.
The Board prepared a Scheme for alteration and extension of the
Works but delay in proceeding with the Scheme arose from certain
objections. After two Local Inquiries by the Ministry of Health had
been held the Board were in a position to proceed with the work
included in their Scheme subject to the necessary sanction of the
Minister of Health being given.
In consequence of the outbreak of war however, and by reason
of the Government's general restriction on the raising of loans and
the commencement of new capital works, the proposed extension and
alteration of the Board's Works has had to be further postponed the
Minister of Health having refused to sanction the loan required for
the work.
The present position is that the Sewage Works are still not
capable of dealing with the sewage as efficiently as is desirable and,
whilst no evidence has come to my knowledge during the period that
I have been Medical Officer of Health of Barnes from 1921 to the
present time either of nuisance arising from the effluent or of the
occurrence of any infectious disease attributable to this source, I am
of opinion that in the interest of general public health the Board's
Scheme should be proceeded with as soon as circumstances will allow.
(4) SCAVENGING AND REFUSE DISPOSAL.
The scavenging and the disposal of refuse from the district is
carried out by the Surveyor's Department.
Collection of House Refuse.
The system of house-refuse collection remained unchanged
during 1939; for a short period after the outbreak of war, owing to
shortage of staff, collection had to be undertaken at less frequent
intervals than usual.