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Difficulty IN SECURING REMOVAL OF STABLE REFUSE.
The repealed Senitary Act of 1856 enabled the "Nuisance
Authority " to contract with the occupiers of stables and cowhouses
for the collection and removal of manure or other refuse
matter ; but the Authority could remove it only " with the
sanction of the owner." The Public Health (London) Act,
1891, has not made any material difference in the position, for
section 36 does no more than authorise the Sanitary Authority
to collect and remove the refuse from stables, &c., the
occupiers of which signify their consent in writing to such
removal," which would have to be effected at the cost of
the said authority. The necessary consent would be forthcoming,
in most cases, if it became known that the requirements
of the law would be enforced in case of neglect by the
owner to comply with the regulations. In many cases money is
paid by the owners for the removal of the refuse, and there
is no reason why they should not pay the Sanitary
Authority a suitable fee for the service. Many persons would
be glad to do so, and thus relieve themselves from a burdensome
obligation. At the same time, it is not improbable that
the large amount of refuse produced in our numerous mews,
would have a value sufficient to defray the cost of an organised
system of collection and removal to the country. Section
35 authorises a sanitary inspector to serve a notice on the
owner of any accumulation of manure or other obnoxious
matter, requiring him to remove it, and if the notice is not
complied with within forty-eight (the Bill read 24) hours from
the service thereof, the " matter " becomes the property of the
Sanitary Authority, and may be removed and disposed of by
them at the cost of the former owner. This provision does not
in practice supersede enforcement of the regulations by proceedings
for the recovery of penalties ; but it is occasionally
useful.