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expressed thanks to the Women's Voluntary Services who, through
their leader, Mrs. E. M. Clarke, established a canteen for the use
of men engaged in the distribution of water.
A main piped supply of water was generally available throughout
the district on the 25th March, 1947, and, apart from some
general instructions issued to the residents as to the treatment of
storage cisterns and the inspection of domestic boilers and water
heaters, the period of emergency was at an end.
Rivers and Streams.
It was not found necessary to take action in connection with
the pollution of watercourses.
Public Cleansing.
As from the 1st April, 1947, the Council resolved that the
cleansing of highways should be under the jurisdiction of the
Public Health Committee and that the street orderlies, convenience
attendants and other staff engaged upon Cleansing Services be
brought under the control of the Chief Sanitary Inspector. The
collection and disposal of house, trade refuse and salvage was
carried out, as in previous years, under the direction of that officer.
A weekly collection of refuse and salvage was maintained and
this fact, coupled with regularity of visits to houses each week,
has resulted generally in an improved service. The total weight
of refuse disposed alt the Works showed an increase over the amount
collected in the previous year, namely 8,542 tons as against 7,771
tons. The population mid-year 1947 was estimated to be 45,430
as compared with 44,098 for the previous year.
The Council pursued a progressive policy in the replacement of
Refuse Collection Freighters and, keeping in mind the extensive
delivery periods, orders were judiciously placed with various manufacturers
which gave the delivery of five new vehicles within a
period of just over eighteen months. New vehicles consisted of
one S. & D. Freighter, two Fordson vehicles with Eagle bodies, and
two Karrier C.K.3. Refuse Collecting vehicles, all these of ten-cubic
yard capacity.
The net cost per ton for the collection of refuse was 19/9½d.
as against 14/0d. for the year ended March, 1947, and 16/5½d. for
the year 1946.
The net cost per ton for the disposal of refuse was 8/1¾d. as
against 9/6¼d. for the previous year and 6/9¼d. for the year ended
March, 1946.
Salvage continued to play an important part in the Corporation's
activities, the total income from all sources being £4,847 as compared
with £3,780 for the year ended 31st March, 1947. The sale
of waste paper continued to provide the major item of income and
a Waste Paper Drive, held on conventional lines in the early part of
the year, did much to stimulate public interest.
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