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A weekly collection of refuse was maintained, using three
10 cubic yard freighters, up to December 1938, following which a
new freighter (Dennis, 10 cubic yards) was put into use. The
total weight of refuse disposed of at the works was 7,421 tons, an
increase of 274 tons over the amount collected during the previous
year.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 7s. 7¾.,
as against 6s. 0¾d. for the year ended March 1938 and 6s. 2¾d. for
the year ended March 1937. It will be seen, therefore, that the
collection costs were higher than in previous years and this increase
was due chiefly to increase in wages costs, loan charges on the
purchase of a new freighter, and additional licence fee. The cost of
collection per house, per week, was 1d., as against ¾d. for the
previous year.
The net cost per ton for disposal of refuse was 2s. 11½d., as
against 3s. 2d. for the previous year, and 2s. 5d. for the year ended
March 1937. It is pleasing to be able to record that the efficient
disposal of refuse was again maintained at a comparatively low cost
per ton, in spite of the reduced income from the sale of salvaged
articles.
The weighbridge at the works was maintained under contract
and the fees received during the year amounted to £36. 9s. 0d.,
representing 1,458 weighings, as against £35. 5s. 0d., representing
1,410 weighings, in the previous year.
The income from the sale of salvaged articles and from the
minor items was £1,460, as against £1,551 for the year ended March
1938, thus recording, for the first occasion in ten years, a decrease
in income. The loss in the amount of income may be regarded as
small, namely £91, and can be directly traced to the difference
between the sum received for the sale of paper this year and last,
but this superficial loss does not represent the total problematical
loss, in that the quantity of refuse disposed of was greater than in
the previous year. It has been noted, during the ten years since the
disposal plant was erected, that an increase in tonnage has meant
increased sales income even though there have been flunctuations
in the prices obtained for the various articles. Coincident with the
fall in the income for the year was the fact that on the 1st April
1938 a variation was made in the commission paid to employees
engaged in the collection and disposal of refuse. Prior to that date,
20% of sales was divided equally amongst the disposal staff and
5% amongst the collectors. The new scheme, whilst amending, and
generally improving, the rates of pay, reduced the commission
payable to 5% of sales, divided equally by the whole staff.
The factors which may cause a variation in income from the
sale of salvaged articles are many, and sufficient data is not available
to the Council at the moment to enable them to come to any
decision on the matter; the coincidence of a fall in income with the
payment of a reduced commission is, therefore, not stressed.
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