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DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE
There have been no major works or improvements in
connection with the Corporation's sewers during the past year
owing to the continued restrictions on labour and materials.
Work has been confined to general maintenance, flushing and
cleansing.
The Corporation during the year made application to the
Ministry of Health for sanction to proposed extensive
improvements to both the soil and surface water sewers in the
East Twickenham area, but owing to tho prevailing conditions
the Ministry felt itsolf -unable to allow these works to
proceed. It remains a source Of apprehension, particularly
during times of heavy rainfall, that these improvements have
not been sanctioned, and surcharging of these systems with their
attendant consequences to a number of properties in this district
will continue until the necessary alleviation is practicable.
PUBLIC CLEANSING.
(a) STREETS.
Despite an enforced reduction of labour towards the end of
the year a standard of scavenging and street cleansing
approximating to that prevailing before the war has been resumed
and it is hoped will be maintained.
The new mechanical sweeper collector vehicle has befen in
use during the year, has served to economise in man-power, and
has proved a decided acquisition.
The Corporation have also operated a new Gully Emptier and
this similarly has been of appre6iable assistance in supplementing
the efforts of the manual labour.
fb) REFUSE COLLECTION & SALVAGE.
Tho Borough Engineer's Department continues to make the best
possible use of the existing refuse collection vehicles, but many
of these are now in such a state that their replacement is
urgently necessary.
Tenders have been invited and received for various types of
mechanical collectors and it is hoped that a report will be
presented to the appropriate Committee very shortly with a view
to a decision being arrived at as to the most suitable vehicles
tendered for and orders placed for their delivery. Unfortunately,
however, even when such an order is placed there will probably
be a delay in the actual delivery of the chosen vehicles of
between 18 months and 3 years. It will, therefore, be neoessary
for repairs to the existing plant to be continued and improvised
as has now been the case for 7 or 8 years.
Certain changes and reorganisation in tho salvage arrangements
at the Destructors have been made during.the year and the
result of this has been that an appreciably greater quantity of
salvageable materials has been recovered and sold with a
corresponding increase in the revenue whioh has aocrued therefrom.
In view of the national position this is ah eminently satisfactory
result and it is hoped that even better results may be shown in
1948. Fluctuations in the demand for particular classes, however,
of salvageable materials occur from time to time and it is difficult
to forecast in advance what the position may be from month to
month, although the position as regards waste paper, which is the
principal source of income, still shows very satisfactory figures,
-20.