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60
It will be observed that the quantity of granite has materially
increased, this is owing to the transformation of a number of gravel
roads into granite, and to the increase in the price of granite, but the
course thus adopted will effect a considerable saving in future years.
The cost of watering was a small amount less than last year, from
the fact that 375,000 gallons of water less were required than in the
previous year.
The cost of dusting was considerably less than in the previous year,
the time worked being nearly 800 days less than in 1882, and being
very close to the time worked in 1881.
This was in a great measure owing to the mild winter we have
passed through.
Since November last the Vestry have been sifting and disposing of
the dust themselves. I have had no great difficulty in disposing of the
ashes and breeze to the brickmakers, but have found that the quantity
of manure made from a mixture of the soft core street sweepings and
dung has not had a ready sale, although I have done my utmost in the
way of advertising it in Essex, Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk, and
have offered to put it on rail at 1/- per ton.
The quantity of paper, rags and other insoluble rubbish spoils the
sale of the material with farmers, and it is a fact that more ground stone
comes off a road when wet than when dry, and I am of opinion that one
load of good dry sweepings is worth three of the so-called mixture.
I feel sure that if farmers would only try dry sweepings their value
would be at once recognised, and it seems a sin to me to see so much
valuable manure taken to shoots to fill up holes, when it ought to be
converted into food. It would be good Political economy for the Vestry
to give it away to any farmer, who would pay carriage, rather than
they should see it thrown away.
The hard core arising from dust sifting has not been so much trouble
to dispose of as the soft core. Some have been sold, but large quantities
have been put into trucks for the Great Eastern Railway Company,
free of cost, for filling-up purposes.
From November last to the present time, the amount produced by
sale of refuse has been £418 11 4
The amount expended for wages 348 10 7
Leaving a profit on the 5 months' work of £70 0 9
The Vestry have had to construct a planked road into the station,
which cost £96 4s. 0d.
Owing to the formation of the Depot at Devonshire Street into a
regular Goods Station, the site given to the Vestry has been continually
changed, and this has not only caused the Vestry much loss but has
been productive of delay and annoyance in the work.