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94
LICENSED SLAUGHTER-HOUSES.
Twelve slaughter-houses were licensed by the County Council in October—six in North Kensington
and six in South Kensington. The several premises were regularly visited by the
sanitary inspectors, and inspected, in September, by the Public Health Committee. The business
of a slaughterer of cattle has not been established anew in the Borough since the passing of the
(now repealed) Slaughter-houses (Metropolis) Act, 1874, in which year there were 56 licensed
premises.
The names of the licensees, and the localities of the premises, are as follows:—
North Kensington.
Lonsdale Mews Mr. Grove.
13, Archer Mews Mr. Bawoombe.
10, Edenham Mews Mr Goddard.
195, Clarendon Road Mrs. Simmons
235, Walmer Road Mrs. Van.
273, Kensal Road Mr. Miles.
South Kensington.
35, Earl's Court Road Mr. Matson.
21, Peel Place, Silver Street Mr. Osborne.
25, Silver Street Messrs. Stevenson
and Cox.
133, High Street, Notting Hill Miss Candy.
113, Holland Park Avenue Mr. Holloway.
128, Marlborough Road Mr. Little.
The number of slaughter-houses in the administrative county has undergone a considerable
diminution; viz., from 1,500 in 1874 to 317 in 1905.
In the annual report for 1898 (pages 98-102), I dealt with the subject of "Abattoirs versus
Private Slaughter-houses," in connection with an abortive attempt by the Public Health Committee
of the County Council to bring about the substitution of public for private slaughter-houses. The
report of the Committee (21st July, 1898), containing the recommendation, was shelved—on a
motion to proceed to the next business—much to my regret, as an advocate for 30 years of public
abattoirs. No further action in the matter has since been taken by the County Council.
The Conference of Delegates of the Borough Councils (referred to at page 89) adopted
unanimously a resolution on the subject of slaughter-houses as follows:— "That the time has arrived
when private slaughter-houses should cease to exist in London."
LICENSED COW HOUSE
One cow house, in North Kensington, was licensed by the County Council, in October, for the
keeping of three cows. The licensee is Mr. Arnsby, and the premises are located at 187, Walmer
Road. In bygone days, within my experience, there were 28 licensed premises, containing 500
cows.
There has been a considerable reduction in the number of cow houses in the administrative
county: viz., from 1,044 in 1880, to 252 in 1905. The County Council intimated to cowkeepers,
some years since, that their Public Health Committee were of opinion that, in the case of premises
newly licensed, the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis, that no cow house
should be erected within 100 feet of a dwelling-house, should be observed. The Council can, of
course, enforce the condition if they think fit.
Dairies Order.—The Council, as Local Authority in regard to milkshops, etc., received
last year 15 applications for registration. At the close of the year 304 premises were on
the register. The several premises are regularly inspected. At many small general provision
shops, milk is sold in small quantity, usually from a glazed earthenware vessel standing on the
counter, and mainly for the convenience of customers; but also in self-defence, lest customers
should be induced to transfer their general dealings to other shops where this necessary article of
diet can be obtained. The containing vessels at these little shops are kept clean; but the air of
the premises is far from "pure"; the commonly prevailing odour being that of mineral oil, or of
some one or other of the miscellaneous articles of food, cooked or uncooked, groceries, etc., vended
thereat. I should be glad to see a better state of things; but the Local Authority appear to
have no power to refuse registration to would-be vendors of milk.