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In consequence of Mr Coward's attention having been directed to the exposure for
sale of fish unfitted for food, he, in three instances, seized the fish so exposed, and summoned
the parties in whose custody the fish was found, before the Magistrate In each case the
Magistrate ordered the fish to be destroyed, and he inflicted a fine, varying from eight
shillings to twenty-shillings, with costs, or an imprisonment of fourteen days to a month, with
hard labour The Magistrate, in adjudicating in one of these cases, observed that, under the
5th section of the 10th and 11th Vict, c XLIII, the abettor or instigator of the offence was
liable on conviction to the same forfeiture and punishment as the principal offender On each
day that these cases were heard, the Court was crowded with vendors of fish, so that these
prosecutions_will to some extent put a stop to the sale of unwholesome fish.
The undermentioned trades-nuisances have been complained of—a soap manufactory,
a wadding manufactory, a lucifer manufactory, a skin dressing manufactoiy, &c All
these premises have been visited by me, and in every case, the proprietor has made such
alterations in the mode of conducting the business as to abate the nuisance The offensive
smell arising from the exposure for sale of cats' meat has been lessened by requiring the vendors
to keep the bulk of such offensive substance in covered barrels, and to expose for sale a small
quantity only at a time.
Complaints against persons having large quantities of manure on their premises are
very numerous If the manure be allowed to remain more than two days, the smell arising
from it is very offensive; and if the manure has been allowed to accumulate for several days,
then the smell from it, while in the course of removal, is almost intolerable I have personally
visited all the premises in the district which have formed the subject of this complaint, and I
have, in each instance, given directions to the proprietors to remove the dung every other day.
Cesspools are now nearly abolished in the district, and it is only consistent with this proceeding
that all the manure heaps, which are equally as offensive and contaminating to the air
of the neighbourhood, should be disallowed The public privies in courts form a constant
subject of complaint, and orders are, on each occasion, served upon the landlord to abate the
nuisance It is greatly to be desired that in any new building act, the erection of publio
privies will be forbidden.
I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant,
JOHN LIDDLE
Board of Works,
15, Great Alie Street