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The Fishmongers' Company were communicated with, who at once
instituted inquiries. In the meantime the salesmen at Billingsgate undertook
to discontinue the suspected source of supply.
I was subsequently informed by the Fishmongers' Company that the
oysters supplied to the Eastbourne dealer were "certificated oysters from
Dutch grounds, which from analysis are shown to be perfectly pure."
It will be seen from the foregoing that in spite of the efforts of your
officers and those of the Fishmongers' Company, to prevent the distribution
and sale of polluted shellfish, it is clear that until the public are better
protected than they are at present from the danger incurred in the consumption
of such questionable food, the evil will continue.
There is little doubt that the traders in shellfish would welcome any
remedial legislation that would restore public confidence in the wholesomeness
of their wares.
The whole question has been thoroughly investigated by the Commissions
engaged in the enquiry relating to sewage treatment and disposal, and in
their fourth report—issued as far back as December, 1903—they strongly
advocated the remedial measures referred to in the Annual Report for 1908.
Although this Commission went so far as to express the opinion that "the
evil was sufficiently grave to demand a remedy," no steps appear to have been
taken by the Government to give effect to their recommendations.
BYE-LAWS FOR VENDORS OF FRIED FISH, FISH CURERS,
AND RAG AND BONE DEALERS.
Under the provisions of the London County Council (General Powers)
Act, 1908, it is enacted [Section 9 (1)] that the Council may make and
enforce bye-laws within the county (elsewhere than in the City of London and
so much of the Port of London as established for the purposes of the laws
relating to the Customs of the United Kingdom as is within the county) for
regulating the businesses of a vendor of fried fish, a fish curer, and a rag
and bone dealer, or any of them, and with respect to the premises in or upon
which any such business is carried on, and the apparatus, utensils, and
appliances used for the purposes of or in connection with any such business.
Similar powers can be exercised by the Corporation within the City
[Section 9 (3)].
As it is essential that the bye-laws within and without the City should be
in harmony and, if practical, identical, in order to avoid confusion and