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one and it has been kept on the premises in dung-pits, the nuisance
although small while the dung is at rest, gets almost unbearable
while the pit is being cleared. This nuisance is bad when ordinary
stable (straw) litter is used; but of late years in large stables, straw
has given place to peat-moss as a litter. The reason for the substitution
is, I understand, one of economy. Moss litter, I am told, is
cheaper and more absorbent than straw and this is where it gives
rise to more nuisance than straw. Peat-moss is used until it is
thoroughly saturated with urine, then deposited in the pit, and after
remaining there a sufficient time to setup decomposition of the urea,
is disturbed during the course of removal, to the great annoyance
of the neighbourhood. This has been a source of much thought to
me during the last two or three years, and I have arrived at the conclusion
that, except for very small accumulations, stable dung-pits are
a source of nuisance for the reasons above stated. The remedy is a
simple one. For the dung-pit which is never cleaned out, I would
substitute a van or portable dung pit into which the stable refuse
direct from the stable is placed, and when full have it removed without
any further disturbance of the manure, into the country or to the railway
depot, the van at the same time being thoroughly cleaned ; in fact,
convert the fixed into a portable dung receptacle. I have tried this
in a few places, where complaint had been made of the nuisance
arising during the removal of stable manure, with complete success,
and I have suggested it to the North Metropolitan Tramways Co.,
for their stables at Stamford Hill; but they prefer to employ a staff
of men continually going through the double process of loading the
dung-pits, transferring their contents to vans, and during this process
annoying the residents in the neighbourhood, to the simple operation
of loading a reserve van direct from the stables and removing it
when full from the premises.
I believe the above is the only effective remedy for nuisance
arising from large stables.
ALTERATION OF TITLE OF COMMITTEE.
Luring the year it was considered desirable to change the names
of the Sanitary Committee and Department to that of Public Health