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195
the great discomfort of persons living in the vicinity. Were
these pits cleared regularly, as required by the regulations,
they would still be a cause of nuisance. Everyone who has
observed the " steam " arising when the contents are disturbed,
must have been annoyed by its horrible offensiveness. In a
previous report I stated that " these sunken dung-pits are a
nuisance in themselves, and that, as the use of them involves
a continually recurring nuisance, it should be prohibited."
Theuse of them is nowprohibited bythe bye-laws of the County
Council, and in this parish large numbers of them have been
abolished, suitable iron cages conformable to the requirements
of the bye-laws having been substituted. From time
to time the Sanitary Committee have had before them lists
of stables at which the receptacles are not constructed in
conformity with the bye-laws, and they have given directions
for notices to be served for the necessary reconstruction
or alteration of the said receptacles ; and,
in the event of the parties failing to act upon such
notices, for proceedings to be taken for the recovery of the
penalties to which they will have rendered themselves liable.
The issue of the said notices brought numerous communications
from proprietors of stables, who had been called upon to
abolish sunken dung pits, calling attention to the difficulties
such a course would involve. In many of these cases it was
resolved by your Vestry, on the recommendation of the
Sanitary Committee, " that no action be taken for the abolition
of the sunken dung pits provided the depth of such pits be
limited to 3 feet 6 inches ; that they are properly drained ;
that they are cemented inside, and that any structural defects
are made good." In other cases your Vestry, whilst making
temporary concessions, reserved " the right to call upon (the
owners) at any time to abolish the sunken dung pits." In some
cases it was suggested to the owners "to provide a moveable
metal cage " receptacle for the dung ; in others the owners were
called upon to provide a moveable metal cage on wheels—