View report page

73
OFFENSIVE BUSINESSES.
The only business coming under the statutory description "offensive," other than that of
a slaughterer of cattle, carried on in the Borough, is that of a Fat Extractor, at Tobin Street, in
the Potteries, Notting Dale. The conduct of this business still gives rise to effluvium nuisance,
despite improved arrangements, care on the part of the proprietor, and supervision by the Council's
inspector, as well as by the inspector of the County Council. The improvements carried out
consequent on proceedings instituted by the County Council, in 1899, included the provision of
a scour, or condensing apparatus, and the elevation of the chimney shaft. Complaints have been less
frequent since these works were completed; but the locality is obviously unfit for the carrying on
of so offensive a business.
LICENSED SLAUGHTER-HOUSES.
Twelve slaughter-houses were licensed by the County Council in October—six in North
Kensington and six in South Kensington. The several premises were regularly visited by the
sanitary inspectors, and inspected, in September, by the Public Health Committee. The business
of a slaughterer of cattle has not been established anew in the Borough since the passing of the
(now repealed) Slaughter-houses (Metropolis) Act, 1874, in which year there were 56 licensed
premises.

The number of slaughter-houses in the administrative county has undergone a considerable
diminution; viz., from 1,500 in 1874 to 346 in 1903. In the annual report for 1898 (pages 98-102),
I dealt with the subject of "Abattoirs versus Private Slaughter-houses," in connection with an abortive
attempt by the Public Health Committee of the County Council to substitute public for private
slaughter-houses. The report of the Committee (dated 21st July, 1898), containing the recommendation,
was shelved—on a motion to proceed to the next business—much to my
regret, as an advocate for 30 years of public abattoirs. No further action in the matter has since
been taken by the County Council.
LICENSED COW HOUSES.
Two cow houses, in North Kensington, were licensed by the County Council in October.
The premises were regularly visited by the sanitary inspectors, and inspected, in September, by the
Public Health Committee. Only six cows were found on the premises; in bygone days, within my
experience, there were 28 licensed premises, containing 500 cows.
The names of the licensees, and the localities of the premises, are as follows :—
187, Walmer Road (licensed for 4 cows), Mr. Arnsby. 5 Ledbury Mews (licensed for 19 cows), Mr. Liddiard.
There has been a considerable reduction in the number of cow-houses in the administrative
county: viz., from 1,044 in 1880, to 277 in 1903. The County Council intimated to cowkeepers,
some time since, that their Public Health Committee were of opinion that, in the case of premises
newly licensed, the recommendation of the Royal Commission on tuberculosis, that no cow-house
should be erected within 100 feet of a dwelling house, should be observed. The Council, can, of
course, enforce the condition if they think fit.
Dairies Order.—The Council, as Local Authority for the registration of milkshops, etc.,
received last year 14 applications for registration. At the close of the year 288 premises were on
the register. The several premises are frequently inspected. At many small general provision
shops, milk is sold in insignificant quantity, usually from a glazed earthenware vessel standing on
the counter, and mainly for the convenience of customers; but also in self-defence, lest customers
should be induced to transfer their dealings to other shops where this necessary article of diet can
be obtained. The containing vessels at these little shops are kept clean ; but the air of the premises
is far from "pure;" the commonly prevailing odour being that of mineral oil, or some one or other
of the miscellaneous articles of food, cooked or uncooked, vended thereat. I should be glad to see
a better state of things; but the Local Authority appear to have no power to refuse registration to
would-be vendors of milk.