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209
into the drains. Peat moss is used as litter, except in the case of
some 50 horses, which for various reasons, are supplied with straw.0
The stables are lighted and ventilated by windows (twelve of which
face the premises of Messrs. Angus, in Paul Street), and with the
exception of two small stables, are light and airy. There are three
"shoots," and therefore three receptacles where the manure from the
750 horses is deposited. One "shoot" is in the Paul Street stables, a
second in the Castle Street stables, and a third in the Paradise Street
stables. The firm contract with Messrs. X.Y.Z., who are bound by
agreement to clear all the manure from the bottom of each shoot, to
the complete satisfaction of the Local Authority and the firm. We
have insisted upon a daily clearance, and this has been adopted by
the firm. The manure is removed in waggons and transported to the
country by rail. It appears that occasionally X.Y.Z. do not remove as
regularly as usual. In this event, McNamara and Company themselves
remove the manure in order that there may not be nndue
accumulation, but the cost of such removal is debited to X.Y.Z.
Such an instance occurred for example at the end of June, in the
present year. and during two or three days the firm removed some 20
tons of manure. The removal of manure is carried out by X.Y.Z.
during the day time, but at irregular hours. At the time of my first
"surprise" inspection I found a considerable accumulation of manure
which in my opinion was creating, or likely to create, a nuisance. I
therefore urged upon Messrs. McNamara (a) a regular daily removal.
about which there was to be no irregularity and no negligence, (F) a
modified arrangement for the removal of manure by placing the
waggon itself under the shoot, and (c) a reconstruction of the
receptacle under the "shoot." I have also made other suggestions
from time to time. My advice has been at once accepted, and with
comparatively few exceptions, I have no evidence whatever in
support of the view that there has been gross negligence and uncleanliness
on the part of this firm. Only on one occasion during the 15
months has it been necessary to serve notices upon the firm on
account of accumulation of manure.
I do not assert that no "nuisance" has existed in the sense of a
disagreeable smell. I think such is inevitable wherever and whenever
I have enquired into the relative merits of peat moss and straw as litter, and
I have not been able to obtain any evidence to show that peat moss litter, as
used in these particular stables, is unsuitable.