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whereas at present the work has in a great measure to be gone
over again the next year.
Three hundred and fifty-two inspections were made of
bakehouses, exclusive of those made by myself, which amounted
to 65. In none but a few cases was it necessary to serve any
notices, and then only for whitewashing and cleansing.
Among the nuisances dealt with during the year particular
mention must be made of that caused by ballast burning,
notably in Dulwich, and I give here the report which was
ordered to be received by the Committee on December 8th,
1896.
Ballast Burning.
In accordance with the resolution of the Committee, I
have to present a further report in regard to the burning of
ballast. The arguments against ballast burning being considered
a nuisance may be summarised under the following
heads:—
Firstly, that there is nothing harmful or dangerous
about it; in support of this it is alleged that ballast burners
and builders who have passed many hours near a ballast fire
have never felt any ill effect and do not suffer in health on
this score, and that even beneficial results have occurred to
persons living near the fires. If we are to argue on similar
lines, I would say that sewermen who pass many hours a day
in an impure atmosphere and in a cramped position, do not as
a class look any the worse, and in many cases live to an
advanced age; those also who drive fish offal vans do not
seem to suffer and do not even complain of the smell, yet, I
presume, there are few who would think it no nuisance to have
a fish offal van deposited, or a sewer ventilator fixed near one's
window.
Secondly, that the material used is of the cleanest
possible character, only clean clay and coal being burnt.
The material used has little to do with the case; if
rubbish and vegetable matter were used the smell would be
more powerful and more offensive, but not necessarily more
dangerous to health.
Thirdly, that the expense of carting away the ballast
would be very great, and the price of an article in use by the