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89
REPORT, 1890-91.
carrying their supply cables. The frosty weather
stopped their progress for a few weeks in January, but
since then they have made considerable advancement
with their work.
Dusting Department.
During the year 5,313 horses and vans have been
engaged in collecting 22,352 loads of dust and ashes,
giving a daily average of 72.57 loads per working
day, or 4.22 loads per horse per day. From this
quantity of rough dust 13,590 chaldrons of ashes,
9,584 chaldrons of breeze, 21½ tons of coals, 19 boats
and 18 cart-loads of hard core, 3,954 tons of soft core,
52¼ tons of bones, 100 tons of rags, 40 tons of old
iron, 3¾ tons of various metals, 15¾ tons of white
glass, and 23½ tons of green glass, have been extracted
from the before-mentioned number of loads.
In consequence of the very severe winter during
December and January, the canal traffic was entirely
stopped for forty days, causing the greatest inconvenience,
nuisance, and extra expense in having to
deposit the ashes, breeze, and especially the soft core
on the Wharves. In fact, had the frost continued for
another week, the collection of the dust in the Parish
must have been discontinued, owing to the Wharves
being entirely blocked with the accumulations. In
former reports I have several times mentioned that
the disposal of house refuse, sooner or later, must be
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