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(a) The removal or carriage by road or water of any fœcal or offensive
or noxious matter or thing in or through London.
(b) The closing and filling up of cesspools and privies.
(c) The removal and disposal of refuse, and the duties of the occupier
of any premises in connection with house refuse, so as to facilitate
the removal of it by the scavengers of the Sanitary Authority (Sec 16, 2)
and
(d) The construction of water closets, earth closets, privies, ashpits,
cesspools, and receptacles for dung, and the proper accessories thereof
in connection with buildings, whether constructed before or after
the passing of the Act (Sec. 39, 1.)
SLAUGHTER-HOUSES AND COW-HOUSES.
Notices of applications to the London County Council, for the renewal of
licenses, were received from the owners of 20 slaughter-houses. They were all
personally inspected, and were, with one or two exceptions, found to be in
excellent condition. The defects, in the case of the exceptions, were nothing
serious, and did not necessitate more than a caution. In no instance was the
application opposed by the Sanitary Authority.
Of the 17 cow-houses inspected, only 2 were in a really satisfactory
condition. In the majority of the remainder, there exists the grave nuisance
of a dung-pit sunk below the level of the ground.
Many of these pits are inefficiently drained, too large, and very dfficult to
thoroughly clean out. My attention has, on one or two occasions, been called
to the nuisance caused during the cleansing of these pits. If the dung is
allowed to accumulate, putrefactive changes ensue, and the stench during its
removal becomes an intolerable nuisance.
Section 25 of the bye-laws made by the London County Council, pursuant
to Section 39, (I) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, makes provisions
with regard to dung receptacles. They are not to have a capacity greater than
two cubic yards. They must be so constructed that their floors are above the
surface of the ground, so that they can easily be cleansed and drained. They
must not abut on the wall of any dwelling, and must be rendered impervious to
moisture. It is necessary, also, that they should be freely ventilated into the
open air, and provided with a proper protection against the entrance of rain or
water. Steps are being taken to enforce these provisions, and satisfactory
progress is being made.