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remainder wood on a brick foundation, (see Plate 3), and only 75 were built with brick or ironwork
A little under 30 per cent. had shafts or chimneys, and of this number 41 were not sufficiently
high to disperse the smoke properly without causing a nuisance. In four instances the smoke holes
were in horse stabies, and in a number of instances they were inside the curing places.
Herrings give off a quantity of oil in drying, and in consequence the inside walls of the
smoke-holes are thickly coated with a dark oily deposit; no attempt was apparently made to
cleanse the inner surfaces of the smokehole.
Yards.—Unpaved yards were noted in 10 instances, 26 were only partly paved, and
102 were defectively paved. It was found a common practice to store empty fish barrels, boxes,
and baskets in the open yards, and this must give rise to grave nuisance—more especially in hot
weather. In many cases the yards were in a dirty condition, and the keeping of poultry and dogs
did not improve matters.
Drainage.—In 15 instances the drainage was doubtful or defective. The practice of
having drain inlets inside curing places should be abandoned where possible, and surface drains
should be provided and made to discharge on to external drain inlets.
Water supply.—Two uncovered cisterns were found in curing places, and there was one
instance in which a proper water supply was not provided. It is desirable that means for
heating water should be available to facilitate the proper cleansing of the premises.
Waste offal.—In 375 instances the offal was said to be removed daily by contractors, and
in 15 cases by dustmen or scavengers. In 282 cases it was stored so as to be a source of
nuisance ; and in 70 cases was kept in improper receptacles. Out of 237 premises in the Eastern
district, 215 were found to have uncovered receptacles. No attempt appeared to be made to
systematically cleanse the receptacles, except in those cases where the Local Authorities removed
the offal.
General.—The results of the whole inquiry appear to show the desirability of:—
1. The provision of properly-constructed brick buildings, on or above the ground level, for
curing and drying places, having smooth impervious inner walls and floors to facilitate
cleansing.
2. The provision of properly-constructed brick or metal smoke holes or kilns, provided with
an outlet or shaft discharging above the eaves of adjoining buildings.
3. The provision of smooth, jointless, impervious paving to all yards or surfaces liable to be
fouled by fish offal and refuse.
4. The provision of impervious smooth receptacles, provided with air-tight covers, for the
storage of offal and refuse.
5. The daily removal of fish offal and refuse.
6. Adequate supply of water, and the provision of means for heating water for cleansing
purposes.
7. The daily cleansing of paving, impervious surfaces on walls, gutting benches, fittings,
utensils, and offal tins.
8. The prohibition of:—
(a.) Places in aerial communication with water closets being used for gutting,
curing, drying, or smoking purposes.
(b.) Animals being kept in aerial communication with gutting, curing, drying, or
smoking places.
(c.) The curing, drying, smoking, and storing of fish in dwelling-rooms, sleeping-
places, stables, and open yards.
(d.) The storage of fish empties for more than 24 hours after being received on
the premises.
9. Systematic inspection of premises.
There would obviously be advantage in dealing with this trade on the lines suggested in the
case of fish frying; that is to say, by the County Council obtaining power to make by-laws
regulating the trade, to be enforced by the Borough Councils.
Summary of Inquiries as to Fish Curing Premises in the County of
London.
Total number of premises inspected 504
Number of premises on which fish curing and drying only are carried on 70
Number of premises on which fish drying only is carried on .. 9
Number of premises on which fish curing and drying are carried on in conjunction
with an ordinary fishmonger's business 303
Number of instances in which fish curing is done on fried fish shop premises 155
Number of instances in which herrings only are dealt with 23
Number of instances in which haddocks and herrings only are dealt with 387
Number of instances in which other kinds of fish are dealt with 97
Number of instances in which the fish is obtained from Billingsgate 405
Number of instances in which the fish is obtained direct from the Coast 18