View report page

45
ratepayers have to contribute to local rates. Although there has
been no failure in performing all the duties which the Vestry are
now bound to carry out, I feel that should a succession of heavy
snow falls occur the resources of the Vestry will be considerably
taxed, and it will then be apparent to every one that great care
ought to be taken in ascertaining that a radical change in
legislation is really required.
The evils of the contract system were apparent Avhen I
commenced operations, for I found that a large quantity of dust
had not been removed. This dust, which I style a "legacy,"
was a great hindrance, and, in addition to necessitating the
employment of extra horses and carts, it was not until the end
of April that I could settle down to a proper system. The only
fluctuations which have since occurred have been in consequence
of the changes in the weather and in the continual extension of
building operations. The plant has during the year been
increased to the extent to which I estimated in November, 1889,
and as the public requirements extend by the growing demand
for a more frequent removal, so must the plant be increased.
Should a daily collection be insisted upon twice the existing
plant will be necessary to perform the service. I am confident,
however, that on sanitary grounds the public would be benefited.
The accommodation for shooting house refuse is daily becoming
scarcer, and I anticipate that in a very short time the Vestry
must seriously entertain the question of disposal by other means
than the present one. The erection of destructors is a matter
which deserves carefnl consideration, as power is thereby obtained
to generate electricity, and to produce steam for other purposes
besides which the Vestry rids itself of the refuse without paying
the heavy cost of freightage.
During the year 32,002 yards of dust were collected, of which
30,604 yards were barged away at a cost of £1,487 18s. 10d.,
and 1,398 yards were taken at a cost of £54 7s. 4d. by the
Refuse Disposal Company. The cost of barging the 15,241
yards of slop, which was removed from the roads, amounted to
£1,270 1s. 8d.
The horses which were purchased at an average of £62 14s. Od.
each, were, at the close of the year, valued at an average of
£64 11s 6d.; and the cost of keeping, including veterinary
attendance, shoeing, etc., has been 17s. 2½d per week.